Let’s pretend the theme to “Jaws” is playing underneath all these pictures.

Because it was all super-charming at this point and, cynical, over-informed (on the topic of PR) bitches that we are, even we had to admit we’d probably squee and clap just like the mega-fangurls did. But we knew the shark was in the water.

“And here’s the Craft Services table!” Adorable.

Of all the groups of so-called “real women” who have come onto this show in order to be ritually humiliated, we think these gals may have been the most game, with the best attitudes. It was actually kind of refreshing. For once, everyone invited on could actually handle the rigors of the show and knew what to expect from the process.

We have a feeling if any of the designers truly got ugly with one of these ladies, the rest would have all come down on him or her like a freight train. They knew the score going in.

So here’s to you, mega-fangurls. You were fun.

Now pretend you hear the shrieking violins from Psycho.

Honestly, the sight of him in that mask ironing a pair of DAISY DUKES and trying to be imperious would be hilarious under any other circumstances.

But his clear and obvious insecurities over pretty much EVERYTHING, coupled with his (also clear and obvious) rage issues makes everything he does something far less than charming or fun to watch. It’s one thing to be a hissy queen who won’t get out of the way. It’s another thing to bellow in rage at a production crew member as if she were your underling. When he started screaming about how this was his “temporary home,” and how he wouldn’t allow it to be disrupted, it was obvious we’d gone beyond a simple meltdown and we were in the land of deep emotional issues. Remember: he introduced himself in the first episode with “I’ve been homeless four times.” He’s simply not someone who’s ready to be put through the reality TV wringer like this. It’s not editing that’s making him fly into completely uncalled-for rages at the drop of a dime. He’s clearly got some issues in his life to work out and shouldn’t be putting himself through something like this.

And yes, Alexander should not have thrown a hot iron. But he was tired and Ken was being a ridiculous asshole for no reason. We honestly can’t blame him for his reaction.

Also, there’s this weird way they’re handling the head cases this season. With Ken, Sandro, and even the unicorn guy – WHOSE NAME WE HAVE ALREADY FORGOTTEN WHICH SHOULD TELL YOU SOMETHING – there was this typical reality TV approach of indulging their antics, then there was this sudden shift where it became deeply uncomfortable to watch such obvious personality issues on display, then there was a half-assed attempt to smooth things over by having Tim intercede, then they each got quickly shuffled off the stage and eliminated.

In every instance – and it’s so incredibly damning of the casting process that we can now use that phrase, “in every instance,” when we’re talking about personality disorders on display – we sensed this sudden embarrassment by the turn of events, with a hasty exit tagged on for closure. It’s oddly unsatisfying for the viewer. We’re not advocating for the casting of these types of people, but if you’re going to make their psychological issues the centerpiece of the story (over and over and OVER again), then shouldn’t you at least have a reason for doing so? Reality TV constructs its quite openly fake reality in order to elicit emotional responses in the audience, so what’s the point of watching crazy people melt down and then get shown the door? Especially when no one will have the nerve to say to him, “I’m glad you’re leaving. You shouldn’t be here and you made things hell for the rest of us,” instead of the half-assed and completely unbelievable nicey-nice being made at the end? Thank God Tim couldn’t contain his distaste. He all but ordered Ken out of there, pronto.

Helen

So congrats, Afterschool Special. You are clearly the one to beat right now. It helps that you had the most dramatic makeover and that you made evening wear, and that your client was model-thin. But it is a nice dress. Lovely shape.

Bradon

Another dramatic transformation and a nice job from Bradon. We’re glad to see him not getting overwhelmed with tricky techniques and just serving his client’s needs. She looks great.

Justin

This was just okay, to be honest. The judges really overpraised it when, as far as we can tell, it’s another standard black dress with white detailing from Justin; something he’s done over and over again. Yes, he served her needs, but he didn’t make anything all that interesting except for the machine embroidery technique.

Alexander

If you’re grading on technique and execution, then fine; this belongs in the bottom. But we thought the design was sound and even looked pretty good on her. We didn’t think it was close to being the worst and we’re not even sure it should have been in the bottom at all.

Alexandria

Not a bad try overall, but it doesn’t flatter her very much. It definitely has some style to it, though.

Kate

This is HORRIBLE. How did this not wind up on the bottom? She looks like Peter Pan.

Dom

This is SUPER-disappointing coming from Dom. It’s all just too big, shapeless, and unflattering. We don’t think the scale of that print works either for the design or for the client. It was a bad choice from the start, made worse by rendering it into something shapeless.

Ken

It almost doesn’t matter what the dress looks like. He simply needed to be removed from the competition, like Sandro. It’s pretty bad, though. The choice of materials is problematic enough, but that graphic color-blocking was a really awful choice to make.

Off-topic, but if you love us, then you’ll run out right this second to buy this week’s People mag, which not only has a piece on some of our picks for worst-dressed of the year, but actually has a super teeny-tiny little picture of us taken on our wedding day. If you don’t do this right now, then we question your love for us.

the police /ems sirens in the background of Ken’s “meeting” scene were a terrific touch of foreshadowing. Well played Bunim/Murray. Also, Heidi was so freaking rude to everyone on the runway. Stop interrupting them Fraulein!

eta – Kneepads? You are in Kneepads? YOU’VE ARRIVED! Very happy for my favorite bloggers!

veriance

I wanted to add that any man who irons their daisy dukes should probably have a full psychiatric work up.

Denise Alden

Moisturizing face mask or no.

veriance

I can’t judge anyone for wanting flawless skin while on TV

Denise Alden

Me, neither, but it really was the icing on the psychiatric cake.

write_light

Perhaps quite literally! I saw a can of frosting in the sewing room, I swear.

Alloy Jane

I saw the pic of that Ken guy in the face mask and all I could think was that he peeled the face off some poor mime to wear, à la Hannibal Lecter.

RussellH88

I thought Kate’s dress was horrible. It made her model look like she had a skin condition.

Iva

Yes! It kind of made her look like she was turning into a lizard man…which could have been cool on another client, but nothing about this woman screamed, “I would totally dig looking like a lizard man!”

RussellH88

She looked like she was a V alien mid-transformation.

VivianAdvanced

It looked really tight and uncomfortable. She probably had the imprint of that lace on her body for days afterwards.

3boysful

I was on the Peter Pan bandwagon the minute the fangurl/model began walking. How this didn’t land in the bottom . . .

Sarah

OH yeah. It was hiddy. That lace looked like creeping mold, too.

MoHub

I was thinking Robin Hood myself.

LouAnn Darras

My partner said the same thing. “She looks like Peter Pan.” LOL

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QFW22QV426LUOEPGASPZJWJMDE MishaFoomin

I thought it was the worst of the bunch, but somehow she is Anointed. Not just a skin condition, but a piece of this and that, here and there, too many things, made her client look like a hobo. Plus the client looked a bit pissed off. I wonder if she disliked it.

http://beautyforrealgirls.blogspot.com/ accidental housewife

Yeah, Kate’s was truly awful. I got really annoyed with her going on about how excited she was for the real woman (ugh! I hate that term) challenge, because she didn’t sound even remotely sincere. Her gorgeous SuperFan looked like a sausage link. There had to be a way to create a waist and accentuate her curves without making her looked like she’d been crammed into that get-up.

Edward Thomas-Herrera

I agree. Altagracia looks disappointed. Not as disappointed as Alexandria’s client though… that woman looked like she was about to go all passive-aggressive.

Imasewsure

Definitely the worst with Ken and Dom right behind her… but even without Ken’s personality issues, his body of work and boring ugly dress would have definitely sent him home anyway. But seriously….Kate’s was the worst of the worst!

ArmoPrincess

Disagree on Kate’s design – I thought it had interest and gave the client what she was looking for. Worst looks were Dom and Ken’s . . . . Don’t think that a “suit” that accentuates arm tat’s was the professional look the client was looking for.

conniemd

During Tim’s review I thought she had the interesting makings of a dress with the lace at the neckline, then somehow it turned into this shapeless overwrought tunic.

http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd

He is gone.
Congrats to Helen. But to be fair, she and Braden did get the best shot clients. One was model slim, the other a straight up knockout.

Iva

I did not like what Braden or the stylists did to Braden’s client at all. The hair looked like a $40 dollar Kanekalon wig and the dress was so…I don’t know. I did not like the dress. The hair was just dreadful, though.

Annaline39

She looked like 7 of 9 after that haircut

http://myriameron.blogspot.com/ Heron

Oh my gosh, I totally agree! She went from modern young woman to…Kate+8 minus the 8, in a weird terrible outfit for a job fair in Vegas. I was horrified.

VivianAdvanced

I agree. I thought she looked 10 years older after her “makeover”. If they wanted to go short, why didn’t they give her a hipper, more modern cut? The outfit was kind of OK, but it didn’t really flatter her figure.

kikisayshi

She definitely looked older, and the dress did her no favors. Blah.

ItAin’tMe

Football player shoulders.

kathrineb

Yes agreed. This hair looked very dated. Much better before. I usually love short hair.

DuBey2

The cut of the dress, combined with her bustline, made her look droopy and heavy, which she clearly was NOT (scroll up to TLo’s picture of the ladies above when they 1st see the runway room (4th down from the top). Given what he had to work with, model-wise and leather (which he splurged on, I was happy to see), I was very disappointed. It looked like a mall dress and the vest thingie just was not flattering when it was styled over a sleeveless dress.

http://marshmallowjane.com/ marshmallowjane

Maybe that’s why she was crying before they walked the runway.

elikit

They did her wrong with that haircut. It looked like she was crying backstage. I hope it was happiness at getting to walk the runway, and not because she missed her hair!

s elin

“He is gone?” Why, whoever do you mean?

http://marshmallowjane.com/ marshmallowjane

We all knew, the second we laid eyes on Helen’s super fan, that she was going to clean up nicely. She was slender; she had a lot of hair, even if she cut it, and she had nice bone structure in her face. I wasn’t as thrilled about the fit of the bodice as everybody else was. I think Helen still needs some practice with fitting gowns. Bradon’s super fan was an absolute knockout.

I believe that Helen has won three challenges, and I don’t see her as the best designer. Maybe she’s doing better now that she is confident. I had thought that the final three would be Bradon, Alexander and either Alexandria or Dom. Maybe Helen will be in the running. When Alexandria goofs, she goofs big time. So I don’t know what to think about her.

Alexandria and Dom aren’t particularly good at choosing fabric.

I forgot about Kate. It should be Bradon, Kate and Alexander. Those are my picks.

http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd

This was win number 4 for Helen.

http://marshmallowjane.com/ marshmallowjane

Oh, thank you. I’m just not feelin’ her.

nancy robinson

I disliked Helen’s prom gown. Speaking of Oompa-Loompa, that hip and derriere floppage would only work on the ridiculously tall and thin. And, personally, I don’t think it works well even on our nerdette. Helen’s dress was less important than the reveal of how lovely her real woman’s neck and shoulders are. Her haircut, while a dramatic change, was also very soccer mommy.

I though Justin’s dress should have won. It suited his woman perfectly and was a style all “real women” could wear. And he made her feel like a million bucks (loved that he made a corset for her to help smooth the after affects of major weight loss).

Suck on that, Helen.

http://marshmallowjane.com/ marshmallowjane

I think that the designers who are usually in the middle pack are still here for a reason. I’d like to see Justin get better feedback because he has hung in there after that one big error that he made with the glue lace–or whatever that was. I didn’t necessarily love the signature of the super fan down the front of the dress, but the dress was nice. These photos don’t show how nicely some of these looks move down the runway.

It is true that Helen got to ride the coat tails of her super fan’s hair and makeup artists. I was happy for the woman but the top of the gown didn’t flatter her. we might say, this woman has no boobs to put into the cup or the bodice, but a great gown maker would remedy the fit, and Helen has said that gowns (Bridal) are her specialty, hasn’t she?

Carrps

Bradon’s client looked like a better looking version of Ben Stiller’s wife …sorry, totally blanking on her name.

ItAin’tMe

I actually thought Ken’s model/fan was the prettiest and liveliest. I loved her attitude and her hair.

Frank_821

well I’m at work so I can’t rush out at the moment….I love you none the less

anyway, you summed it up perfectly about Ken. The worst part of it for him is the long term damage to his career and reputation. Still I have little sympathy for him

madamovary

I’m so glad you mentioned long term damage to careers. I have always wondered what the hell these people are thinking when they do the crazy-selfish-naricissitic stuff on camera! I would think, if you truly wanted to be a designer, this show could open up a lot of doors to entry level positions in New York. Forget winning – it can get you in the door SOMEWHERE, particularly if you demonstrated a little empathy, a good work ethic, and TEAM work. It may not mean immediate stardom but it could get you out of the closet/hellhole/small town you want to escape! Not that I don’t like small towns. I’m in love with Dayton Ohio.

Emmaline

By definition “crazy-selfish-narcissistic” folk don’t plan ahead.

epenthesis

Kate and Dom were really lucky this week. Dom in particular is a little bit Jekyll-and-Hyde in her inconsistency, which makes me worry for her now that everyone weak is gone.

s elin

So true. WHY did Dom choose that cabbage print? I can’t think of a design where that print would work. And Dom’s design did her model no favors: no waistline and low-hanging, unsupported boobs.

VivianAdvanced

Dom has created some good work, but she should have been in the bottom 3 for this one. It looked straight out of K-Mart.

madamovary

Dom let her client choose the fabric. The fan really liked it at Mood. But what she did with it, meh.

s elin

Thanks. I haven’t actually seen the show yet. I read the reviews first!

ItAin’tMe

Ya know when I get a bad haircut? Whenever the hairdresser does exactly what I ask for! I need and appreciate guidance. Same with fabrics and dresses. The designer can take into consideration what the client likes but needs to guide her toward what will actually work for her.

http://marshmallowjane.com/ marshmallowjane

Plus, didn’t Tim warn her about the print, or am I confusing her with someone else? I am surprised at the choices of fabric during this season.

kahudson

Tim warned her about the print after she had already purchased it. They were discussing it during critique in the workroom.

Vanessa

Without having watched the show, I liked Alexandria’s a lot–it looks kicky and fun and fits her well.

kirkyo

I was shocked her’s was in the bottom. It is a bit department store, but not deserving of “maternity librarian”. The jacket is cute. Compare it to Dom’s and Kate’s…I don’t get it.

Sarah

As a librarian, I took severe exception to that descriptor, because wth is that supposed to mean, anyway? But really, I didn’t think it was so bad, either. My main problem was the choice of textile on the jacket. I thought the grey was not ideal.

shorty j

Seriously, I’m an archivist, and while I am not fashionable at all, my fellow info-geeks are some of the most stylish people I know.

Laughingworld

I have been both a librarian and an archivist and I rolled my eyes at that one, too. The slur is derived from the anti-intellectual streak in American society. Librarians and school teachers are assumed to be repressed, neurotic and asexual when compared with robust outdoorsmen and “traditional” women. Remember what became of Mary in “It’s A Wonderful Life” when George was never born? She becomes a glasses-wearing, slightly hysterical librarian. This, despite the fact that she went to college (or maybe because of it) and the fact that other men were clearly interested in her. Someone who makes her living shilling for the rag trade is in no position to sneer.

Alloy Jane

“Librarian” is a euphemism for spinster cat hoarder. Only women who can’t find a husband have to get an education and work, and the library is the perfect place to store your dusty, papery, unused vagina. Also, this is the post Sex in the City world. The Carrie character was a shallow, immature, anti-culture, anti-intellectual lint ball. So you know, fuck the 70s and the women’s movement. Being smart is boring. It’s so cool to be dumb and make fun of smart people and talk about how boring they are.

Sarah

Me, my four cats, my fiancé, and my well-used vagina salute you.

http://marshmallowjane.com/ marshmallowjane

Hey, I’m an “older” single woman with cats. I resent that. Haha.

It takes much education to be a librarian, doesn’t it?

I almost hate to throw this out there, but speaking of annoying comments by the judges and the designers, they always say, “She threw him under the bus,” or “I’m not going to throw him under the bus.” I am a person who was hit by a bus as a pedestrian and the bus actually rolled over me. I don’t want to be a downer. This happened 25 years ago. I had my 15 minutes of fame. Blah blah blah, but I HATE that expression that has gotten so popular. I really don’t think this was a common expression some 20 years ago. These are words people say without thinking.

The judges are often mediocre at expressing what they are looking for and then they get a little uppity when the designers don’t understand. What is a modern Southern woman, for instance? Or what would a high school girl really wear to the prom? Nothing made of Duck Tape.

formerlyAnon

Yup.

My library is full of incredibly interesting, involved, generous, vital people of all genders and relationship statii. Hipsters are perhaps over-represented, but since they’re smart, well-educated hipsters with a sense of irony about their own stereotypical markers, I can deal.

Cat owners and borderline-nutso animal rescue people might be over-represented compared to the general population, but so are artists, musicians, doulas, entrepreneurs (gotta be ’cause we’re so underpaid) and writers.

Frank_821

Oh forgot to say, despite the ken vortex; it was the best rendition fo the real woman challenge. the fan girls were pretty swell. Kudos to Ken’s model for summing up Heidi and Nina and asking for Vodka

SRQkitten

Yeah, when she asked for the vodka, I said “she’s one of us!”

http://beautyforrealgirls.blogspot.com/ accidental housewife

I liked all these women, but Ken’s model (Suzi?) was my favorite. Her asking for vodka made me laugh out loud. Is it weird that I want to be her friend?

alyce1213

Apparently she IS a friend of one of the BKs. (See earlier post by Kathy)
I lol’d at “I want Vodka” too.

kathy

Susi is my best friend & I feel pretty lucky to have someone that fabulous in my life! I loved when she was saying what the judges would think. We do that every week when we do the challenges on dolls & it cracks us up, so I’m glad others think is it funny too.

alyce1213

Tell Susi she was great and the BKs loved her. I LOVE her hair.

kathy

I sure will!

Fanny_Trollope

Susi was awesome, and although the fabric choice and color blocking weren’t good on that dress, I thought she is one of the rare women who can really rock an unusual shade of green. Her hair and complexion are gorgeous.

madamovary

I totally thought the green could be cool – I get why she liked it. A different designer would have found a way to incorporate it somehow. And on the bandwagon – loved her doing the judge riff, loved the real girl vodka reference. Maybe she can get her own show?

http://beautyforrealgirls.blogspot.com/ accidental housewife

I love the shade of green she chose. I’m a redhead at heart, and a redhead via chemicals; that shade is fabulous for someone with red hair. I was surprised Ken couldn’t understand why it was so appealing to Susi. Even though he didn’t like it, he should have been able to see how and why it works for her.

If Susi had her own show, I’d be her SuperFan.

http://beautyforrealgirls.blogspot.com/ accidental housewife

I find it awesome and hilarious that you two do the challenges on dolls every week. That sounds like so much fun. Also fun: seeing your best friend on Project Runway.

kathy

It is so much fun. We have a group of people who join in & do it with us online. We’ve done everything from the candy challenges to the light up dresses. Doing a light up dress that size is crazy! Yes, seeing her on there was such a thrill! I was giddy all evening.

Celandine1

NO it isn’t! I totally want to be her friend too and go out drinking.

Susi

Hello! Susi here! What a treat to read all of this. And I can tell you right now, I want to be your friend too! I do! “vodka all around!”

adnama79

You’re awesome! You’re also super pretty. Keep rockin’.

ItAin’tMe

Love you, Susi! So spill! What was it like in the workroom?

ItAin’tMe

Oh! you already did! I just read your blog…good stuff!

AnneElliot

Yes! I loved the bit backstage before they walked the runway. Nice to see how it all happens.

Celandine1

I loved all these women. They had a great sense of humor and were fun. Apparently unlike every other real person guest model and every designer, they watch they show! They knew what to expect! They played along!

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QFW22QV426LUOEPGASPZJWJMDE MishaFoomin

I loved the one crying before walking the runway. I could see she was so excited to be there. Awwww!

madamovary

Which leads me to something I have said over and over again throughout the years. Why on earth can’t we fans put together some fun viewing venues to watch as a group? So many of us are near cities. I want a Manhattan fan party!!! I’ll ditch the burbs and take the train in to hang with all of you!

adnama79

Dude, area bars should get on that.

Inspector_Gidget

Agreed. Even jaded ol’ me enjoyed seeing them squee on the set.

Wellworn

Where was Nina last night? I heard one of the models squeeing that she was going to meet Nina.

songstarliner

U R Rite: the fan girls were great, but how sucky for them that there was no Nina tonight?! This fan girl would have been sad, no matter how awful she may have been about my outfit.

Susi

I really missed meeting Nina.

http://beautyforrealgirls.blogspot.com/ accidental housewife

It really sucks that Nina wasn’t there. They should have scheduled the Real Woman challenge when all the regular judges were there. It would have been really cool if y’all had been there a couple weeks ago, when Michael Kors was judging.

chylde

Ken clearly was asked NOT to participate in the faux show at Fashion Week. I don’t think he’d have been able to produce a cohesive collection anyway. Man has serious mental health issues. Don’t sell him a gun…

veriance

….and hopefully he will get help to resolve these issues with the support of friends and family.

alyce1213

Yes, and he first has to realize he has issues. Sadly, judging from recent tweets (or whatever), he is still clueless.

Rhonda Shore

he really does need help and the right prescription would make a world of difference for him. Nobody likes being that out-of-control. Nobody feels good after acting out like that.

madamovary

Right on Rhonda. But here’s the thing, and it’s always the same thing – if what he’s dealing with is a true character disorder, the thinking usually is “the world is wrong and I am right.” Neurotic people think “The world is right and I must be wrong.” That’s why the latter respond to therapy and are willing to try medication. It’s incredibly hard if someone like Ken doesn’t really believe – due to the mental condition – that he has a problem. He would spend the therapy session arguing with the therapist and disproving everyone. He would never really believe he “needed” medication. But that’s if he has the disorder. Who the hell knows from a reality tv show what the real issues are. And I’m not a doctor, just had tons of therapy from living with this type of thing.

Rhonda Shore

good points. I’m thinking more of getting him on the right meds and following up with med checks than talk therapy though.

Rhonda Shore

I’ve seen some really positive results with rage issues w/people i’ve been close to (w/meds more than talk therapy…when the messengers aren’t transmitting properly and chemical imbalances are at play, people generally aren’t receptive to talk therapy)…and the people involved always felt badly after they’d had out-of-control episodes. That it could be controlled came as a relief.

CozyCat

It did seem like Ken understood why his reactions were wrong–after the fact. But in the moment, he doesn’t seem to be able to control himself. The unfortunate thing is that you can see how those outbursts probably put him on a downward spiral–he blows up, loses his job, ends up on the street…. And when he pulls himself out (which is commendable!) he has so much stored anger and bitterness that it starts all over again.

The sad thing is that he has many of the qualities that should lead to some form of success. I’m not sure he’s a great designer, but it takes hard word and dedication to teach yourself something like sewing. And it takes a strong character to arrest the downward spiral of being on the street (even with help). It’s too bad his “issues” are sabotaging the rewards his good qualities should bring him.

Rhonda Shore

Agreed. The producers of the show should really be ashamed of themselves.

MilaXX

nope he refused to show

http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd

If this is so, then he threw away this gold plated opportunity with both hands.

MilaXX

I agree, but seriously he has major issues. Boyfriend needs a few years of therapy.

http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd

And I sincerely hope he finds it. What has consistently made me sad is that he demonstrated more than once that he was fully capable of being sweet and funny and nice.

MilaXX

I think TLo got it right. He’s just a raging ball of insecurities. Ken is almost perpetually in fight or flight mode.

jayetyler

My mother is exactly like Ken (only her tantrums & screaming bouts lasted for hours). She is also capable of being incredibly sweet, charming and funny (and has tons of friends who have only ever seen the “good” side of her). She has never gotten therapy because she honestly doesn’t think she needs it. It would be easier if she were all evil, all the time because then it would be easier to walk away and give up hope that she will ever change.

This episode made me incredibly sad– mostly for the other designers having to deal with his toxicity (esp. Alexander) but also for Ken. As much as I think he is a total ass, I feel like his personality or mood disorder was being exploited by the producers for drama. The stress of the competition probably made all of his demons even worse. I’m not excusing him for his behavior or holding the producers responsible for it; just think he should never ever have been put on the show and was only done so because he had all the makings of a drama queen.

I hope Ken gets the help he needs, but I seriously doubt he ever will.

madamovary

Hi Jayetyler. I can relate. I made a similar comment up above.

jayetyler

I’m so sorry! I hope this episode didn’t trigger anything for you.

formerlyAnon

“She has never gotten therapy because she honestly doesn’t think she needs it. It would be easier if she were all evil”

I know two people like this. I am sad to hear you have endured it. I’ve seen two children of one individual struggle for years not to bring the learned/inherited fallout into their adult lives. And it absolutely fuels my anger that the show deliberately chooses people with issues just to create “drama.”

jayetyler

Thanks. I’m a lot better now, as is my sibling. It helps that we both moved far away and finally feel safe enough to talk about it with each other.

Meredith_P

Interesting, that I too have a sibling and we were loathe to discuss it until lately. It’s cleansing. Our mother didn’t rant, but it was pretty scary.

jayetyler

It really is liberating to be able to talk about it now, plus it’s
strengthened our relationship, validated our feelings and allows us to
truly commiserate with and help protect each other.

I’m sorry you & your sibling went through what you did.

I think we never talked because (1) my mother was very effective at the “divide and conquer” approach; (2) we were gaslighted so often that neither of us really trusted our memories; and (3) my mom constantly told us when we were little (always separately) that we were “sick” & that she was going to abandon us at a mental hospital so we both felt a lot of personal shame/blame. It wasn’t until recently that we were able to see through her lies & realize that she constantly tries to pit us against each other.

On that note, I think I need to go look at pictures of Idris Elba & stop obsessing about this.

Meredith_P

Divide and conquer…we know it well. Must be several chapters devoted to this in the “Borderline Personality Playbook”.

GinAndPopcorn

Jayetyler, you’ve described the way my siblings and I grew up and the relationships we have now in almost exact detail. The only difference is that our mother left out the bit about abandoning us at a mental hospital, instead she chose to tell us how much she’d love to just leave and never come back. If it weren’t for my sibs and I finally getting out of my mother’s grasp and talking about what we each went through we would all be in very different emotional places now.

I am so very sorry that you went through all of that too, but it’s great that you and your sibs have been able to start talking about it. What has come out of the conversations I’ve had with mine has been invaluable.

jayetyler

I’m so very sorry; big hug to you and your siblings, and to Meredith_P, madamovary, formerlyAnon’s friends and the millions of people who experienced this same type of hell.

Sending you all good vibes & positive thoughts that you continue to heal!

Alloy Jane

Ugh, I feel you. But truth be told, I think it’s better to have glimmers of hope and to just accept that those bits are fleeting than to be related to someone entirely evil. But hey, sociopaths are usually charming when they need to be, so it could be that the nice is deployed long enough to keep you from leaving. My guess is that someone who would threaten a child is a sociopath and you shouldn’t feel guilty for cutting ties. Toxic people make it their life’s work to infect others and you just have to think of them as the Voldemorts of the world.

When I was in college, there was a small group of us who had shitty/crazy mothers and it was very relieving to meet other gals who were in the same boat. Granted, both my parents are horrible people, so I always “won” the shitstorm prize, but still, it was nice to be understood.

jayetyler

I’m sorry you went through a shitstorm but am glad you were able to talk about it with friends who understood. I have a few friends who went through similar stuff with whom I could talk about it but not until my 30s; I kept everything buried deep before that.

It’s funny you mention Voldemort. My sibling’s spouse ( who I am close to & started confiding in years before I could talk to my sibling) thinks of my mom as a dementor. She actually murmurs “expecto patronus” under her breath when my mom starts ranting or saying ugly things.

I wish guilt was the only thing that kept me from going no contact. I still love, heck sometimes even like, my parents, as messed up as they are,

Pennymac

And ECT…

formerlyAnon

Yes. Whether his evaluation of his work was accurate or not (and I can see it being either way) it wasn’t about his work, or really his opinion of the show. It was the way his issues came into play on the show & the stress of a fashion week runway – either he wasn’t able to produce the work he seems capable of, or he couldn’t see the value in his own work.

NYCGlamourpuss

And he already did that with his “memorable” behavior on the show.

Imasewsure

I think he was probably right to distance himself right away. He’s young and very fragile so maybe going back to real life for a few years, getting some balance – and hopefully some training – will set him right for his future. PR is/was not his path for sure!!

Eric Stott

He said that the pieces just weren’t ready to show- even though this caused trouble backstage. If it really WAS an artistic decision (and not just a hissy fit) i would respect him a little bit for that – but it still looks bad.

Qitkat

If we hadn’t been seeing his poor behavior all season, this decision being an artistic one might be easier to swallow. But since he really seems to be unable to separate reality from delusion, it becomes an emotional choice. In any case, he wasted an opportunity that will likely never come again.

Meredith_P

I just hope we get to see it on film…or online. Please!

MilaXX

I don’t

NYCGlamourpuss

Me neither.

Meredith_P

Just so we see that it wasn’t producer manipulation that kept him off. His own decision to throw the opportunity to show at NYFW away. I also would have liked to see what he had to show, because I wasn’t impressed with anything I’ve seen from him on Season 12 to date.

MilaXX

The work on his website isn’t bad. I just have no need to see him further punished for his bad behavior on the show, or given yet another reason to try and make excuses for himself.

Meredith_P

You’re sure right about the excuses. On and on…

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QFW22QV426LUOEPGASPZJWJMDE MishaFoomin

I was hoping that his mother and spiritual advisor saw his atrocious behavior on the show and then forbade him from showing off his decoy collection. That would have been awesome.

Emmaline

I wanted to “like” this comment, but then felt that would undercutting the seriousness of the issue (not dissing the people who did, just my feeling). NO. Don’t let this man buy a gun. Seriously.

chylde

Yeah, well, he could buy a gun in his home state of Alabama with their ridiculously lax gun laws. Just sayin…

BookishBren

I am not sure why Kate wasn’t closer to the bottom. I am sure hers was well sewn, but it was a hot mess. REALLY awful.

All Helen had to do to win was NOT sew something terrible. Her super fan came in SO over-the-top frumpy but with a good figure, that it was sort of hers to lose, really.

Am I the only one who really felt sorry for Bradon’s super fan? Not for his design but her hair ended up looking like a wig, in my opinion. Really terrible haircut.

Alexander is quickly becoming one of my favs. I actually find it really refreshing that he KNOWS when he has dropped the ball and admits it. There is no attitude from him on the runway. I just think he handles himself really well. And I don’t fault him at all for what happened with Ken. Ken was being a complete jerk by not letting them in. Glad Ken is gone. Found his Twitter last night and he tweeted that “thanks to his hated “edited” scenes, PR would get a 13th season.” Delusional.

Was anyone else shocked by how awful the guys’ room was? Didn’t they used to have suites or nicer rooms? Looked very low-rent to me.

MilaXX

Bradon’s model looked like she was dressed as Joanna Coles for Halloween. Not slighting Joanna, but that look was a bit mature.

NYCGlamourpuss

OMG, that’s perfect! It’s true!

Fanny_Trollope

I was disappointed in most of the makeovers. What Not To Wear used to do it so much better.

alyce1213

True, but in all fairness, they have a lot more time and individual attention.

GillianHolroyd

I did like his look but you are right that she resembled Joanna Coles, lol.

During the close-up judging, one of the women said her hair looked like Mia Farrow’s…. not sure where that is coming from. MF’s orig cut was layered all over and much shorter.

Celandine1

Yes but Joanna’s hair looks real.

Maine1ac

I thought there used to be two to a room. Last light it looked like four beds lined up like a hospital ward. I’m sure it creates more drama.

bxbourgie

I’m still trying to figure out WHY they did that. Project Runway can’t spring for another room? Was their credit card declined and all the guys had to squeeze into one room? I thought it was because they were putting the superfans in the guys other room and the four guys would have to share a room temporarily, but come ON. Y’all that cheap? They are already spending all that time in the work room together, can they get a break from each other please? Damn.

Celandine1

At this point in the season they always start consolidating, moving the remaining designers into one male and one female apartment.

Qitkat

Those beds lined up so closely reminded me of a dorm where I stayed for an artist workshop once. No privacy. Noisy. Horrible really, I’ve opted for private rooms ever since. Ridiculous for adults, especially in such stressful circumstances.

Celandine1

Um … they have always had the designers share. I pretty much remember it’s usually four to a room but the previous seasons’ apartments looked more spacious.

Marlsgate

I don’t remember what they used to have, but I was furious when Tim said Ken would get his own room after his outburst. Way to reward bad behavior! In fact, I realize that shunning someone doesn’t always help, but I found it weird that a lot of the other designers either made excuses for him or carried on being friendly with him throughout the season. I can’t stand it when people cater to craziness.

demidaemon

No, it has always been four to a room. However, the Atlas apartments are a bit more spacious and have two bedrooms while these are clearly four to a room hotel rooms with a bathroom.

MediaGrrl

anyone remember Jerell, left alone as he was the last male in the contest, playing with homemade PR dolls? Very cute!

kirkyo

Alexander’s grown on me. I think I needed time to see past the hair and eyebrows.

Denise Alden

Agree about Alexander. He just tells it like it is, no whining or apologies and it’s damned refreshing. But I can’t believe I’m in the position of rooting for Drag Brows!

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QFW22QV426LUOEPGASPZJWJMDE MishaFoomin

I was wondering if the beds were even long enough for the guys to sleep on. And those pies of chips bags! Was that garbage just laying around? Yuck.

Melanie

I also really loved Alexander’s approach to the challenge. Remember he asked her, “What’s missing from your wardrobe?” I thought that was really smart.

MoHub

The used to be in apartments, with kitchens and living rooms. Now they’re in a hotel, which I suspect is nothing more than a bunch of bedrooms with bathrooms, with maybe a coffeemaker available

And weren’t there other spaces where Ken could do his ironing instead of right in front of the door?

demidaemon

I said the exact same thing up above.

http://marshmallowjane.com/ marshmallowjane

I admired Alexander for showing Ken that he wasn’t the only one who could be a drama queen. I’m guessing that Alexander had had other opportunities to decide how he’d act if the situation presented itself. There were probably other conflicts not caught on camera. One of the things that Ken did that really upset me was when he told Alexandria not to even look at him. He was so abusive and controlling, and Alexander showed that he wasn’t going to be put off. He gave Ken a taste of his own medicine. Can you imagine? Everybody is exhausted. They’ve lugged their stuff to their new room and some little shit won’t open the door? Who does that? A person without empathy for others.

BookishBren

Agree with ALL of this.

miatamam

I respect Alexander more for standing his ground. Enough was enough.

ItAin’tMe

Yeah, those beds all lined up a foot apart from each other? Worse than a barracks!

Eclectic Mayhem

Can’t comment – rushing out to buy People magazine…

Kathy_Marlow

I could have kissed the L’Oreal guy last night when he told Suzy that nature what trying to tell her something when she complained that every time she colored her hair, it turned red. I had the same thing happen and I embrace being a redhead now That color would have looked horrible on her with her previous hair color but it’s much better now. Horrible fabric though. I’m glad Ken is gone, he is a mess emotionally.

Sarah

I loved that too. I was like “what?? You ARE a redhead, why are you fighting it??” I have the same color hair she had before. Same texture, too! As soon as she arrived on set, my BF said “that lady is your long lost sister!” I am always trying to play UP the red in it, because the other ladies in my family are full-fledged redheads and I admire their tresses. She looked great.

miatamam

I think what Susi was referring to was that weird, brassy chemical reaction that can happen with hair that doesn’t accept color well. It’s not a true red. Sadly, I know this red. Bought it in a box at CVS.

decormaven

Bless the uncles and all the BKs who sat through this dreck. Looking forward to a less drama-free episode next time. And while I don’t normally buy People, I will do so for you, kind sirs. It’s the least I can do for your hard work last week in NYC.

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle archer

Going straight to my boss to ask for the rest of the day off. I have a People magazine to buy.

I liked Kate’s upon first viewing, but clearly I was wrong. The back is tragic.

It was weird how thoughtful Ken was towards his client and the very idea of pleasing her, as he clearly loathed the idea of working with a non model. His pissing contest standoff was uncalled for. Thank goodness the camera was all set up, ready to shoot the scene with framed perfection.

She’s All That was called early by @MilaXX. Much like Clark Kent, all one has to do is take away the glasses for a magical transformation. Sigh.

I liked how the fangurls were able to interact with the judges, at least make known how they felt and what their input was.

decormaven

I like your priorities!

marlie

Re: Ken and his client… I also appreciated that she defended his design to the judges last night. There’s no way that would have saved him, but at least he wasn’t a d!ck to her.

Emmaline

I expected her to own the fabric. She chose it.

the chick banal

That’s what I thought, too. But on her blog, she says he did.

ddfrog

Wow, thanks for pointing out that the camera was set up and ready to go. Clearly Ken knew that they were doing a ‘new roommates enter the room’ shot, and I’m sure that they even said, ‘action!’ or something. He really was just marking his territory by setting up shop there and not moving. And who irons denim cut offs anyway?

Fanny_Trollope

More to the point, who owns them?

Call me Bee

I’m pretty sure that all of the designers, just like all people on any reality show, have cameras on them anytime they are awake and doing anything–just in case things like this happen.

http://marshmallowjane.com/ marshmallowjane

As far as Kate’s look goes, some of the garments look better while they’re coming down the runway than when they’re photographed. I thought Kate’s was pretty decent, but it looks frumpy in the photos.

nosniveling

Kate’s was horrible indeed, looks like an unfinished robin hood outfit. And Dom’s (whom I adore) – Walmart special!!
I actually loved the green fabric Ken used for the dress, it was a great color on her.
Rushing out for my People mag right now

SRQkitten

LOL! Robin Hood was exactly what I called out when she walked down the runway. Good thing she’s a fan cause she knows the crap shoot that getting designed for is on this show.

I was appalled that they made all the designers take time away to sit down with Tim in the aftermath of Ken’s meltdown. I could see maybe him and Alexander but everyone else. Absolutely not. Don’t punish the functional designers because the wretched production team didn’t do an adequate job of screening out the psychologically troubled.

Emmaline

They should have extended the working time to compensate.

Fanny_Trollope

I called it Maid Marian. And it was horrid and unflattering. I have never understood the Kate love from the judges. Although she does seem like a perfectly nice person, I dislike many of her designs.

Trisha26

I just can’t get excited by any of the designers this year, neither their work or personalities. Unless I have the wrong idea about Helen, it seems as though she’s sold out her own design aesthetic in order to win. If she can live with that I guess it’s not a bad strategy. Makes me like her and her work even less however.

3boysful

I think she’s said that she makes girlier stuff than you’d think by looking at her.

Emmaline

Did no one else hate the back of Helen’s gown? What about those flopping wings on the side? So, Helen made a bodice and simply pulled up yards of fabric for the skirt. Truly awful, imho.

HorseNPonyShow

Maybe I had one too many last night, but did Ken not give Papa Gunn a goodbye hug?

Iva

I think it was more Tim did not offer a hug or a goodbye really. It was clear that Mr. Gunn wanted that bitch gone. He usually says *something* to the offee.

HorseNPonyShow

Ah okay. Would have been great if Tim had said “Don’t let the door hit those jorts on the way out”.
Also, I still think I had one too many because I kept yelling “You BETTER GET SOMEBODY” throughout the house all night.

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle archer

I need more Bitter Kittens in my actual life. Because YOU BETTER GET SOMEBODY is going to be used with frequency. As is now, when I told Hubs to Will is the Fuck Up for a family party last week, he looked at me like I was crazy.

bxbourgie

annabelle, I’ll be your Bitter Kitten in internet life because YOU BETTER GET SOMEBODY! being screamed at top of lung while holding little denim booty shorts and wearing a face mask was absolutely THE funniest.

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle archer

I wonder if I can find a way to make it my ringtone?

HorseNPonyShow

I wonder if I’ve found my new Halloween costume this year. Face mask, button down shirt, jean jorts and me yelling “YOU BETTER GET SOMEBODY”. I’m sure none of my friends will hate me by the end of the night.

bxbourgie

I need someone to make a gif of last night’s Ken meltdown. Lemme check tumblr.

I just noticed your new user name and avatar – all my love for the day goes to YOU!

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle YBGS archer

This is what a case of The Fridays gets you.

OrigamiRose

Tim was probably exhausted, having swept the workroom free of any sharp objects before sending Ken back in there.

HorseNPonyShow

“Designers from here on out your bags/purses/and tool kits will be these clear plastic backpacks. Full body cavity searches will be done at the beginning of the workroom day”

OrigamiRose

Don’t give B/M or TWC any more sponsorship ideas! I can just see a challenge next season, tying in the NFL’s “clear plastic bag” policy at games with a football-related design inspiration.

Stubenville

The Emperor model has no clothes! =)

Denise Alden

“For the first time in Project Runway history, everyone was gunned down.”

OrigamiRose

Seriously cackling out loud here

Denise Alden

Thanks!

Carrps

Oh gawd. Thanks for giving me flashbacks to my days working at The Broadway in Century City many moons ago….

Sarah

I dunno. Ken just walked right past him where he stood. I felt that the look on Tim’s face suggested he was surprised that he didn’t get to say his last words to see Ken off. It was a definite dis on Ken’s part. I was like WTF you DON’T DIS TIM GUNN, MOFO.

miatamam

Looked to me like Ken wanted to make sure his dis was loud and clear. As he stomped past Tim he leaned away from him, turned his head and refused to lay eyes on him. Was this the first Tim “ice-out” in the History of Project Runway??

He did not. And my thought while watching was that Tim was gritting his teeth just talking to him. His “clean up your space” line was delivered VERY frostily.

bxbourgie

I thought I was at The Wall in Game of Thrones because WINTER had arrived. Tim basically said without saying “please, I need you out of here as soon as possible.”

http://beautyforrealgirls.blogspot.com/ accidental housewife

Tim: “Are you relieved?”
Ken: “Yes.”
Tim: “Well good. Now get the hell out of here and don’t ever come back.” /Thinks to himself “did I say that out loud?”/

Daisy Walker

I just can’t get past the fact that he was ironing jorts! WTF.

Iva

I’d really like to believe that Ken is a particularly anal nevernude.

HorseNPonyShow

THERE ARE DOZENS OF US!

Daisy Walker

Haha! Perfect!

Carrps

My biggest laugh this season!

ccinnc

I was very touched by the enthusiasm of the models (and annoyed by the expression on some of the designers’ faces when they first saw them). After School Special’s model looked like Jessica Pare, and her excitement was sweet.

alyce1213

I can’t blame Alexander for knocking the iron down either. It was an inanimate object after all. I admire his restraint for not knocking Ken down. (I’m not at all a violent person, but the thought was there.)
I agree with the win and the other top two. The rest were all pretty bad. The fangurls were terrific.

sk8tfan

I admired his restraint in not smacking Ken upside the head with the hot iron.

kathy

To make things worse, Ken got on Twitter last night and claimed he threw the challenge because he wanted off the show. His model, Susi, is a friend of mine and this just makes me so sad. She was so excited to be there and got him. Apparently, she has lots of behind the scenes scoop about this episode to tell us.

alyce1213

Inside info! Let us know, please.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QFW22QV426LUOEPGASPZJWJMDE MishaFoomin

Time for a TLo interview! This needs its own post!

GillianHolroyd

Did she have to sign a non-disclosure release though? If she’s free to talk, I would love a dedicated post. Don’t want it to get lost in the discussion here.

kathy

She wasn’t allowed to talk about it before. Not sure what the rules are for afterwards. She is the co-author of JustCraftyEnough and has been writing posts the last week about getting on the show & the days beforehand. She is planning on writing more…

formerlyAnon

Thanks for telling us. I hope she did get Ken’s good side (because he clearly has one) and not his damaged side.

AnneElliot

I just read her blog posting! Very insightful, I can’t wait to read the follow-up postings. Thanks for sharing it with us.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QFW22QV426LUOEPGASPZJWJMDE MishaFoomin

Thanks for sharing the site name. Is Ken actually barefoot in Mood, as I seem to see in that picture with him and Susi with the bolt of green fabric??

kathy

Looks like it! ew

SugarSnap108

Your poor friend! Didn’t see the ep, but I hope he reserved his cray-cray for the other designers, and not her.

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle archer

She was so nice though. She fought for him with the judges. She told them that fabric was all her. Obviously she didn’t know the hotel drama or that nothing he could have designed would matter. He auffed himself before the runway show even started. Still, it’s a shitty thing for him to say. He didn’t throw shit. He tried hard to accommodate her requests and design the best he could. His attitude lost that for him, not his dress.

cpjones79

The final straw for me was when Ken said her dress looked like couch lining from the 70s. If he threw the challenge, I’m glad because he didn’t need to be on the show and should have been kicked off weeks ago. Bummed about your friend Susi though.

Wellworn

Susi looked great, and I actually loved the dress on her, the front more than the back because of the execution. I don’t think it should have even been in the bottom. But so glad that Ken is gone, he was the worst, not his dress.

formerlyAnon

Agree. I think he’s probably better than the picture presented, but he’s clearly got unresolved problems that reside inside *him* and stressful circumstances are not a good time to be around him.

conniemd

I agree about the back of the dress. It looked okay from the front but agree with, was it Heidi who said the leather should have been under rather than over the boob. But the dress was an ill-fitted mess from the back it was too tight and puling, making her look heavier.

NYCGlamourpuss

TELL US PLEEEEASE!! We’ll buy you booze and cupcakes and the TLo issue of People magazine, and our undying love….

And your friend was lovely – I LOVED what they did with her hair (as a fellow Curly Girl). Sorry she had to deal with a delusional crazy person. He didn’t throw that challenge, no way – why did he then say in his confessional that he hoped Alexander would be going home?

Glenn Johnson

Well Congrats to your friend Susi for getting to do this. I was commenting while we watched that they have never had “real models” who were more conscious of where they were and what to expect. They KNEW there would be three of them in the bottom and didn’t take it personally. Susi was SO excited to BE THERE – you could see in when she walked the runway (fabulously I will add). She also got that close interaction with the judges (though no Nina which was too bad) and the makeover which was great. This was my second favorite challenge this season after the Coney Island one. I only felt bad for Kate and Dom’s models since they didn’t get that extra air time.

Erica_Vuitton

That’s like saying “I’m taking my ball and going HOME!” when picked last for a team. Grow the f up! And please tell Susi that she looked amazing on that runway even in that bad dress and that Johnny was right about the red hair FAB FAB FAB!

SugarSnap108

I am astounded Kate’s didn’t end up in the bottom. Peter Pan wouldn’t be caught dead in that.

Really surprised, too, at Dom’s miscalculations. The design of the top, with the wee straps, couldn’t be less flattering to the poor woman’s rack. And that’s just one issue.

Re Bradon’s: Is it an illusion, or is one strap much wider than the other?

conniemd

Definitely looked that way to me.

GorgeousThings

I’m on my way to CVS right now to get People!!!

Oh yeah, before I go – Ken? Good riddance to bad news.

BuffaloBarbara

Agh, can’t comment much because it’s time to go to work, but yes… scathing indictment of the casting process.

I really liked Justin’s a lot, actually, because it was harder for him to work within her confines.

And yay for fans as real women. You’re right — they went in with open eyes, and I think the designers must have realized that their confessionals would be nasty if their trip was spoiled.

MilaXX

I hate any episode where the behind the scenes drama is allowed to eclipse the designing. The makeovers and design were just so so. I didn’t dislike this as much as I hated previous “real woman” challenges, but it just reinforced my anger at the casting of Tim, Sandro & Ken this season. That’s 3 wasted slots because production values drama over design skill. I couldn’t even enjoyed the superfans because like the music them from jaws, you knew something bad was coming.

On the other hand passing Kate & Dom through kind of reinforces in my mind that the top 3 will be Kate/Dom/Helen

NYCGlamourpuss

Totally valid point about the three wasted slots – I 100% agree.

Meredith_P

I’ve been grinding my teeth about the wasted slots all season. Actually, whenever a contestant bails in the middle of the night. What was her name Angela?Andrea of a season or two ago.

http://aldonsusi.blogspot.com/ Susi R

Maya?

Jangle57

I love the part that super fans were assigned in a completely random button bag pull done earlier – um yeah, right completely random I’m sure……

MediaGrrl

I assume they did the bag pull earlier so that the mannequins could be adjusted? Odd, though.

lissonifan

If Ken was ironing his Daisy Dukes at midnight, why didn’t he wear them the next day? Or does he sleep in them? Is he perhaps a nevernude, a la Tobias Funke?

housefulofboys

Maybe my screen isn’t clear enough, but isn’t he wearing them in the “group therapy” shot with Tim above, which was filmed the next day?

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QFW22QV426LUOEPGASPZJWJMDE MishaFoomin

You’re right. I see it too.

tonibaloney

I’m back in the cutoffs!

BrooklynBomber

I liked the “superfan” + “real” woman combo. Nice concept.

The clothes were all pretty blah, and more were horrible than not.

When I look at Ken’s it’s really not the worst of the bunch. Alexander’s is horrible and unflattering. (And as much as Ken needed to go because of his anger issues, what they showed us was Alexander pretty much ordering Ken out of the way from jump. Of course, we don’t know what might have happened before that got edited out.)

Kate, WTF? Judges, WHY wasn’t that in the bottom; Alexandria’s may not have been great but if you don’t look too hard the girl looks okay. Kate’s model looks like she’s about to sprinkle fairy dust on everyone.

Call me Bee

Exsaaaatly. I feel so sorry for Kate’s superfan. That outfit was just horrible for anyone over the age of five.

BrooklynBomber

Or not in a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

demidaemon

I agree with the judges, just because everyone else had either a) better base design or b) better execution. Alexander was clearly in the bottom for execution, Ken for design, execution, and behavior, and Alexandria for not matching the judges’ view of the client (that’s always a thorn for everyone involved). I actually was perfectly okay with Dom and Kate being passed through; neither were super awful but they weren’t great either. I needed a cigarette after that auf, though; it was supremely satisfying.

3boysful

I thought Ken’s green went with the model’s hair, but didn’t do much for her skin. And besides some wonky placement, the colorblocking was too contrast-y between the poop green and the stark black. Maybe that only works with primary colors, or colors of equal saturation, or something.

Also, while I am glad they had 2 days, I wish it could’ve been more. If the fans came to NY and went through this, only to have most of the stuff trashed on the runway, how do they ever take their garment home and wear it (other than as a joke)? For these “real” women challenges, it would be nice to give the designers some trial-and-error time so that they could actually learn something from it. Yes, they should know how to fit all sizes as theoretical designers already, but they never do. Hence, usually only those with the thin models do well.

BrooklynBomber

I know who should have won: the hairdresser (with the makeup people in 2nd place).

bxbourgie

Love Johnny Lavoy, he’s too too cute and the epic product placement speeches he gave while describing all of the makeovers needed an award. L’Oreal! Because you’re WORTH it!

BrooklynBomber

I completely tuned out the product placement part, but when they first introduced him I thought he was sweet because he seemed a little camera-shy.

AwesomeMargie

Damnit! I want to see that image of you two on your wedding day. BRB, searching for the magazine.

valerie747

My least favorite looks were Kate, Dom, and Ken-The-Barbarian.

3boysful

I was laughing last night when they were in Mood, thinking how I’d have been as a fan/model: “NO satin–it always looks like crap!” “Do you know how to sew on this silk/stretch?” etc.

Fordzo

I’d have been rolling around on the floor with Swatch.

Ginny Ellsworth

I’d have been lining up with the designers buying fabric!

http://beautyforrealgirls.blogspot.com/ accidental housewife

Me too. Who cares about fabric when I could have some Swatch time.

SewingSiren

Going out for People Magazine this instant!

Angela_the_Librarian

I was most worried about Dom last night. I don’t necessarily agree with Tim’s assertion that prints don’t work for larger or smaller sizes, but the one she chose just wasn’t very good. That jacket/shrug thing she made didn’t look very good either. I was certain she would have been in the bottom. Helen and Justin’s were my favorites of the night, so I thought the judges did a good job of placing their looks.

I was left wondering last night if they didn’t get rid of Ken immediately because they didn’t want the super fan to be sent down the runway with nothing to wear? That little group therapy session the next day was just plain awkward, and Alexander and Bradon seemed genuinely disturbed by what happened. Once they announced that Ken was going to get his own room I knew that was his death knell on the show (like they would want to shell out the extra money for his room)

This season has just been so bizarre and surreal at times. Before his epic meltdown at the production assistant, Ken’s whole night routine could have been fodder for a SNL skit–grown man wearing face mask, ironing his jorts, refusing to abandon his important duty! I didn’t notice, but did he even wear the jorts the next day?

MyrtleUrkel

He definitely wore them the next day. You can see them in one of the stills above from when they’re having the intervention or whatever with him. I definitely missed the face mask last night, but I can’t stop laughing about it today. I agree with TLo that he should never have been deemed psychologically/emotionally sound for the show. Having been homeless four times, he might have issues with space (personal and shared), so it’s not terribly surprising that he’d be so territorial about a temporary living situation.

valerie747

The “Super Fans” were all a delight. Thank you girls!

kat89

I wonder if we will now find out exactly why Ken didn’t show at Fashion Week. Jeremy showed and he was auf’d last week. Is it because of his issues?

Meredith_P

Apparently he chose not to…at the last minute. You can Google it.

http://foodycat.blogspot.co.uk/ foodycatAlicia

Christina Hendricks would wear the hell out of Helen’s dress.

SewingSiren

Well, exactly. She is not known for making good fashion choices.

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle archer

The ass of Helen’s dress is ridiculous. The dress itself is cheap looking. Christina’s breasts would be all over the place. So yes, you’re spot on correct.

Sarah

When is Helen going to make anything other than a frikkin’ wonky bustier and some schmatta dangling from it? LAME.

Erica_Vuitton

In the past, other designers have been called out and even aufed for making the same garment even two or three times. I would love for someone to say, we get it, you can make a great bustier, now how about something different?

Sarah

And really, it’s more like she can make an okay bustier sometimes. Remember that skintone number? Bad news.

valerie747

I agree with you Alicia.

Tanya Wade

Helen’s model looks like Kim Dickens (from Deadwood etc.). And I mean that in a good way.
Dom is flailing here. Come on, girl, rally!

BrooklynBomber

T & Lo, with your wedding picture in People, you really are celebrities!

BEE DAYY

I would had react the same way if Alexander would had knock a hot iron down like he did. Why do Alexander get a pass on his bad behavior and Ken is to look like a monster because how he react. Alexander totally disrespected and tried Ken. Everyone in the world isn’t passive.

bxbourgie

Alexander was reacting to Ken not letting them into the room. He seemed to be joking around and came into the room in a good mood, asked Ken to move and Ken acted like a CHILD. I’m sorry, but I would have thrown that iron on the floor as well, especially when 1. this wasn’t the first time Ken acted like a 2 year old, and 2. it was late, the were tired and everyone wanted to go to sleep. Ain’t nobody got time for that! Let them into the room, and stop being a big baby. No one’s saying Alexander wasn’t wrong, but I am saying he was totally justified in what he did. Ken was out of order.

RussellH88

And how long does it take it iron JORTS?

alyce1213

Why do jorts even need to be ironed?

bxbourgie

THIS. Who irons jorts???

valerie747

Ken was ironing while his mask hardened. (My ridiculous theory)

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle archer

As long as it takes to mark your territory.

BEE DAYY

Alexander did push himself into the room. He did not even say excuse me to Ken which was piss poor manners to begin with. If ken would had threw the iron trust and believe the contestants would had rally again to get him kick off.

HorseNPonyShow

I believe Alexander knocked and then knocked again. It didn’t look like pushing himself in. He opened the door, made an unfunny joke and the “beep beep” (or was it meep meep) sound. Annoying? Yes. Eye rolling? Perhaps. Him knocking over stuff? Dumb. Ken’s outburst..down right out of order.

housefulofboys

If I were standing in front of a door and blocking the way into the room, and two people loaded down with suitcases opened said door, my first reaction would be to move myself and my stuff out of the way. I would probably even say “hi!” and offer to help.

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle archer

At the very very least, you’re not going to tell the people in the doorway OF THEIR NEW ROOM that they will stand there and wait while you finish your ironing. He did that specifically to get a reaction out of one or both of them.

NYCGlamourpuss

Exactly. As someone pointed out in the Lounge, Ken was looking for a fight and he got one. He was being a passive aggressive asshole, and as we’ve seen, the other designers have had to put up with his bullshit for weeks. And sure, Alexander shouldn’t have reacted like he did, but I can understand why he did, and I don’t really blame him that much now that I think back on it.

housefulofboys

Bodacious new avatar, Annabelle Archer!

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle YBGS archer

Thank you, thank you. I doubt I’ll keep it for too long. But in the spirit of today’s post show discussions, I couldn’t resist.

housefulofboys

Yeah, I think after a couple of days to “get over” Ken, we can blissfully never think about him again.

formerlyAnon

You, however, are clearly too bizarrely normal to make it onto a reality t.v. show.

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle archer

He did not push at first. He used humor as a way to try to diffuse the situation he read quickly and correctly. Which was he was being intimidated into waiting to enter his own room, while Ken pointlessly ironed. That was a territorial move made by a petulant, emotionally stunted, man child.

NYCGlamourpuss

Precisely.

BEE DAYY

He should had said excuse me and waited until Ken was finish.

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle YBGS archer

Ah, no. One doesn’t stand in the hallway, outside of their room, waiting on someone to get over themselves.

susan6

He DID. Alexander stood in the open doorway and waited while Ken took his sweet time to finish ironing his shorts. There was plenty of time for the camera to catch this scene, including the world-weary “can you believe this crap” look that Alexander gave the camera.

It was full-on passive aggressiveness on Ken’s part….”I don’t want you in here, so I’m going to block your entrance without directly saying anything.”

Only when Ken had finished ironing and moved away did Alexander come into the room. Alexander had to shove the ironing board out of the way at that point.

GillianHolroyd

No. The correct response is: You need to get in? Let me unplug this iron and move the ironing board out of your way.

Of course, I’d throw a towel on a desktop/bed before I’d lug out an ironing board.

Those rooms are awfully cramped with four beds. I’m sure it ramps up the drama to keep them packed in like that. Also fewer camera crews to monitor every move.

Denise Alden

Are you Ken?

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QFW22QV426LUOEPGASPZJWJMDE MishaFoomin

With that style of writing, I’m thinking Sandro.

OrigamiRose

Why at eleven p.m. should anyone have to wait for their new roommate to finish ironing their denim jorts so they can access their new accommodations? No, no no. Your jorts can wait while you take thirty seconds to move out of the way and be courteous.

Meredith_P

And through the magic of editing, we don’t know how long Alexander and Bradon were waiting in the doorway. I was thinking that Bradon made the beep beep sound.

Call me Bee

Yeah. Ken started it, so there. Nyah. nyah.

conniemd

The worst part of Ken’s behavior was that once he was done and made them wait, he didn’t even have the courtesy to move the iron and board out of the way, but just left them there in the way. I think that prompted Alexander’s knocking the iron off the board.

Wellworn

Ken? Is it you?

nannypoo

I was for many years a special education teacher, working with students with emotional and behavior disorders. I was happy to read TLo’s take on Ken in this post. I don’t like Ken any better than the rest of the BKs do, but I don’t think he is fully in control of his anger and I think it was unfair of the judges and the producers to allow him to remain on the show week after week when it was obvious he was in over his head with the stress of the show. The main thing to keep in mind when mainstreaming students with special needs is to first put them into situations they can handle. I realize Ken is not a special education student but rather an adult who is in a position to make his own decisions, but he should never have been on this show. Once the mistake was made, the people in authority should have demonstrated kindness and good judgment by removing him as early as possible rather than milking his disruptive behaviors for their entertainment value.

Call me Bee

Agreed. They could have aufed him for that red/green knit dress with all the horrible origami junk on the bodice and no one would have questioned their decision at all.

Violina23

I don’t know if any BKs watch “Survivor”, but last season there was an incident with a contestant who proved to be unstable in his first outing of the show, but they invited him back AGAIN for a Fans vs. Favorites edition. He not only proved to be just as unstable, but got violent and threatened some of the other contestants. It’s very troubling when products of these shows put what they perceive as “good television” ahead of people’s safety and mental health. It isn’t even entertaining to watch… It’s uncomfortable and kinda scary/creepy.

BeccaGo

Are you talking about Phillip? I missed the Fans vs. Favorites season, but his first time out was ludicrous.

Violina23

actually no… Phillip was deluded/nuts but generally harmless. I was talking about Brandon Hantz… he flipped out because he didn’t like how Phillip talked to him, destroyed the camp, dumped out their food supply, and almost started a fistfight before Jeff Probst removed him and called for an impromptu tribal council vote on the spot to remove him

BeccaGo

BRANDON?? Wow…that’s just cruel. That kid has problems.

decormaven

Kindness and good judgment are not B/M’s strong suit, sad to say.

kathy

I have to wonder if they didn’t send Ken home right away because that would have left one of the fans without a designer to finish her look so she could walk down the runway. Someone with a trigger temper like that shouldn’t be on the show to start with, but I’m wondering if that could have played a part.

marlie

I thought that too…

valerie747

Exactly.

Erica_Vuitton

Good point!!

Stubenville

This show has devolved into Big Brother with some minimal sewing. At this stage I only hang around to interact with the bitter kittens in the lounge. And maybe post a snarky comment or two here the next day.

Call me Bee

Well, and drink.

Stubenville

But of course! =)

Wellworn

I have greatly decreased my viewing of PR too. I now watch it only once, and only really pay attention to the runway and critiques. All that drama is background noise while I do dishes and work on the computer. Not enjoyable to watch anymore, but it’s still fun with the kittens.

decormaven

I’m not watching. The dear uncles and the good BKs are my filters for this dreck. I salute you!

valerie747

Alexandria: I suspect she suffers social anxiety on some level. She seems ill-equipped when the situation requires she communicate with others. Alexandria appears to space out when others require an interaction with her. Even her dealings with Mr Gunn seem strained and non-productive. Remember the glamping trip? She wandered off to be alone, and was not part of the over-all bonding fun. She’s next to go, I predict.

Demeter

What have you got against Alexandria? She was extremely verbal and articulate. She accurately and beautifully categorized the Ken situation. Even Tim Gunn said she explained the situation beautifully.

valerie747

I have nothing against her. I think she struggles socially (one on one) at times.

miatamam

I think she just prefers not to interact socially. She doesn’t seem to need it.

Wellworn

She might not be so warm and friendly, but there are levels to the warmth spectrum amongst all people. To me that doesn’t matter. I don’t need all the designers to be friendly or touchy feely. I do need them to not have temper tantrums with almost every challenge. As long as she isn’t hurting anyone, I don’t see your problem with her. I also don’t see how her not bonding with the rest will make her the next to go.

valerie747

I was thinking about her not being able to “read” her Super-Fan client’s dislike of her garment. Maybe “dislike” is too strong. I think her client was “OK” with the outfit, but certainly nothing more. Alexandria was not paying attention to her client’s message. Those are the communication problems I see.

Erica_Vuitton

I agreed with you that she didn’t really seem to be listening to her client. When they were picking out fabric it was clear her client didn’t like it but she picked it anyway. Also she said a number of times “Don’t make me look old.” If you have to say it more than once, it means she’s not listening.

Call me Bee

Having just spent a couple weeks in Scandinavia, I’d say Alexandria is just…Scandinavian. I noticed a difference in the way people there just…are. They are more reserved and just…quieter….than us here in the US. We are a nation of over-sharers, especially here in the Midwest, and the people I encountered on my trip were just more restrained. Not cold, mind you, but more retiring.

valerie747

Thank you! Very restrained.

Susannie

Being scandinavia my self, I think you are right. You americans scare us, with your loud openness

Alexandria should have made some of her ususal street wear. 20-year old art student, I think she’d love that

demidaemon

So drop crotch pants, then?

Susannie

Of course! We wear them all the time. Right now I’m wearing padded winter ones

Okey, not necessarily drop crotch, but the style she did in previous challangs.

http://www.witgirls.com/ Lyn Paton

Not sure if anyone has already commented on this or not, but I HATE that they pretty much “rewarded” Ken with his own room because of his antics (they can say it was for whatever reason, but in the end he was pretty much given his own private living space…something I’m sure any one of the designers would have loved to have)!

Sadly, this is usually the case…the worst of the bunch get the most attention or distinct advantages, while the ones that are doing it right get no special treatment, or get ignored altogether:(

I guess Production didn’t think it mattered, since they probably knew he was going to be “auffed” this challenge, no matter what!

alyce1213

I’m thinking the producers knew he was going to be aufed. The fix was in.

bxbourgie

I was thinking the same. Give him his own room, we’re going to auf him at the next elimination anyway. Give everyone else a chance for a good night’s rest without his fool ass.

RussellH88

That’s what I think. Plus, it will be easier when he leaves because it instantly empties the room, leaving the remaining guys all together. No need to really move people around or anything.

miatamam

That was my first thought as well. However, watching Tim’s finish, I think the producers were in containment mode by then. Thinking they were worried that Ken would “auf” someone on his own.

Stubenville

They didn’t mention that his own room was at home.

DuBey2

Winner.

NYCGlamourpuss

Weeeelll, my point in the Lounge was that they shouldn’t have to room with a wacko just to prove a point that they won’t “reward” him. I mean, look at it this way – they removed JUSTIN from the situation too. It sounds more like this guy isn’t fit to be around other people rather than rewarded.

http://www.witgirls.com/ Lyn Paton

True…and I agree for the need to protect the other designers from the ticking time bomb! To me (and I’m sure this is the just the “mom” in me), the correct response should have been to remove him from the competition, rather than placate him…you know, in an ideal world (HELLO…what did I think I was watching)?! Unfortunately, in the world of reality, you hold on to the drama-makers for as long as you can. I guess that’s why I initially saw it as a reward for his bad behavior, rather than seeing it as the saving grace it really was to the others:)

Wellworn

I agree. I felt at the time that it was rewarding his asshole behavior too. He ended up getting his way. I even made a comment in the lounge that he should have had to pay for the room. But from the producers’ standpoint, they needed to protect the other guys. If someone is so threatening that you need to isolate him, then does he really deserve to continue on the show? I think he did get aufed because of his behavior more than anything. If this hadn’t been a real woman challenge, he might have been removed that night. Maybe they wanted to let him finish for the sake of the superfan.

Qitkat

I think you may be right. The only reason he was kept on was for the superfan. I do hope all that nasty drama was kept away from them. The BK who posted earlier that Susi was her best friend might have some insider knowledge of that.

kathy

I haven’t heard yet how much she knew about the drama. She wanted us to be surprised by the episode. But she says she has lots to say about Tim, Ken, Heidi and fabric choices….

Qitkat

She sounds like an awesome friend

formerlyAnon

Yay!

NYCGlamourpuss

Oh, exactly. And as much as I adore Alexander, his look really was the worst last night. But no way were they going to let Ken continue. So since his dress wasn’t all that great either, he became the much more convenient “auf” out of the two of them. I mean, when he and Alex were standing alone on the stage, I really was worried for Alex. And just before Heidi spoke, I thought, “Yeah, BUT…I can’t even picture in my mind the scene if Ken walks back into that waiting room with the other designers. He’s gotta be gone.”

miatamam

He did seem quite aloof while waiting for the auf on the runway. I’m beginning to think he had been clued in he was outta there.

http://beautyforrealgirls.blogspot.com/ accidental housewife

I think, too, that isolating Ken would be the strongest punishment for him. It’s possible he feels isolated anyway; based on the little bit of conversation we heard between him and his mother, he’s had some kind of issue for a while. If nothing else, he’s been prone to severe temper tantrums.

Also, we’ve seen him getting along well with the other designers, so he did develop some camaraderie with them. He and Justin were certainly close. Shutting him off from the designers would have been awful for him.

I’m not making excuses for Ken. He’s been verbally abusive and emotionally manipulate since the get-go. That sort of unpredictability puts everyone on egg shells. I’m just thinking out loud, so to speak.

It’s moot, of course, because I’m assuming the producers had already decided he was out of there.

valerie747

The producers did not reward Ken as much as they protected the other men.

Ginny Ellsworth

I look at it as they were saving Justin from a totally uncomfortable situation rather than rewarding Ken. They pretty much put him in time out.

Sorry, if I had just scrolled down a bit I would have seen my thoughts already posted.

demidaemon

I kind of feel bad for Justin because it seemed like Ken was developing a crush on him. Ken is not the kind of person you want having a crush on you.

GillianHolroyd

It was pretty much a given that he was due to be auf’d this week. But in case he’d created a super dress for his super fan (and therefore not been eliminated) I think having a single room would’ve also worked against him: he would be constantly paranoid about what the others were saying about him in their room. It would reinforce his me vs the world mindset.

s elin

I don’t think they rewarded Ken. They isolated him to avoid any more workplace incidents, and hopefully insulate themselves from liability if he went totally bat shit insane—to the extent he hadn’t already. And as noted, they all knew he was a goner; they could afford to pay for his room for one night.

kahudson

“insulate themselves from liability”

Ding! Whatever his reasons, this Ken Laurence has shown a propensity towards anger though technically not violence. (Weirdly, the most violent actor in this episode was Alexander Pope who casually pushed aside a heavy and presumably hot iron.) However, if Ken Laurence did strike someone or cause an injury, then Bunim-Murray, Lifetime, et al. would have to explain why they kept a person prone to intense outbursts around other contestants. They would have kept a person around that they and others clearly suspect to be a danger to others.

NYCGlamourpuss

TLo said: “And yes, Alexander should not have thrown a hot iron. But he was tired and Ken was being a ridiculous asshole for no reason. We honestly can’t blame him for his reaction.”

You get a big fat “Yup!” from me!

alinana

No, Alexander should not have tossed the iron. However, Ken KNEW they were moving in and IMO purposely blocked the doorway so he could start something. Why else would he have been ironing his daisy dukes in from of the door?

bxbourgie

Its like TLO said, it’s a high stress situation (moving four people into a room that looked like it really fit no more than two people) is stressful, it certainly would be for me as an only child who currently lives alone has since I left college (in the 90s!), and has a phobia about other people’s hair in the bathroom. I’d be stressed too, but to I’d manage to keep it in check. Not stand at the door, act like a petulant child, and then begin a hissy fit when you’re challenged for doing so. I don’t think he purposely started something, but he didn’t want them in the room (understandable) and was trying to show them, this was HIS room… meanwhile PR is paying for the room, so I don’t know what he THOUGHT he was doing. In trying to piss all over his territory to show them all it was his, he blew up on Alexander when Alexander was clearly like “bitch please.”

VictoriaDiNardo

Yes but weren’t there four guys to a room before some of them were eliminated? At this point they’re consolidating the room mates.
All this drama is silly fluff that makes me cringe that I’m watching it.

alyce1213

I do think he purposefully started something. It was no surprise that they were moving in (cameras!) and certainly not when they showed up and asked him to move out of the way.

Wellworn

I think he did purposely start something. He knew they were coming, and he was being passive aggressive about it. He wanted a fight, and he got it. I don’t blame Alexander at all. He had probably just spent an hour packing his stuff up at the end of a long day, and needed to get to sleep for another long day. He didn’t get to iron his clothes or perform his beauty routines and should have been welcomed into the room graciously. I hope that Ken was up all night packing his stuff to go into his isolation chamber for his last night in that hotel. He was being a complete asshole.

guest2visits

Ken’s actions were as deliberate and purposeful as he could make them. He knew exactly what he was doing and it was premeditated. Even the camera people in position, foretold what was about to occur. He knew the extra 2 were arriving, he heard them knock politely, he slowly, deliberately ignored them – when did Ken lose his voice? – he couldn’t speak up and say hang on, I’m moving out of your way – if he was truly there in the little hallway unintentionally? He certainly found his voice again when he was demanding whatever he was demanding from the weary staff. I thought it had to be fake, staged drama by the producers… I mean look at the pics above! He’s wearing a mask! He’s ironing tiny denim shorts! But it was all Ken; now we know if there are no real problems or perceived insults, he will fabricate them all on his own. I’m perfectly fine with Alexander’s response; he never touched anyone – although I think it’s Ken’s intention to provoke a physical confrontation, as well. Alexander said he could be as equally overly dramatic too.
I have a hard time feeling sympathy for Ken, he’s got talent, he’s on the show and he’s had a chance others haven’t. So many of the designers have tragedy, grief and unfortunate circumstances. It’s not a free ticket to treat others so badly.

miatamam

So true! How better to demonstrate you are pissed about getting new roommates than by blocking the door? Plus the added bonus of giving you a chance to fly off the handle.

Jeff Warhurst

Ken is a trainwreck. And what the fuck is that bowtie tattoo. Lmao.

Sally3000

I was most disappointed in the makeover for Bradon’s client. I thought it aged her about 10 years. I much preferred her original hair to the Florence Henderson hairdo they gave her, and the dress didn’t do her any favors either. I thought they showed a clip of her crying backstage before she got on the runway, but that was never addressed on the runway. Maybe I misinterpreted what I saw because I was crying for her in my mind?

http://iamthelizardqueen.wordpress.com Lizzie

Yeah, she was definitely crying, but I interpreted it as nerves, feeling overwhelmed, that kind of thing, as opposed to miserable about the way she looked. My feeling is that if it were the latter, that would have showed on the runway and in post-runway discussions.

annaplurabelle

Maybe she was having an allergic reaction to the makeup.

http://www.GiftedCollector.com/ The Gifted Collector

That’s what I thought, too. But you’d never hear that about one of the show’s top sponsors.

valerie747

Justin: I don’t agree that the judges overpraised his black dress. He made a difficult body type look amazing. I am sure that if her religious modesty did not disallow showing the corset Justin made for her, we would be even more impressed. That degree of weight loss leaves a lot of loose skin that needs to be addressed. Look at Justin’s Super-Fan in her one-of-a-kind dress …. no hint of copious amounts of loose skin anywhere. The A-line flow of the skirt flatters her body. Her best accessory is her smile! She knows she looks great.

RussellH88

It can be hard to dress after significant weight lost. I’ve lost over 200 pounds in the last 2 years (gross, I know) and it’s still an issue that I have to think about when I buy clothes. It can be frustrating as hell.

valerie747

Congratulations on your accomplishment!

Rhonda Shore

Yes, congrats!

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle archer

Not gross. Amazing.

formerlyAnon

THIS.

alyce1213

Nothing gross about that. Good for you, congrats on your achievement.

Wellworn

Good for you! What a great accomplishment.

Call me Bee

Well done!

decormaven

Kudos to you. That is tough work, and congratulations for sticking to your goal.

formerlyAnon

Gross? How about indicative of enormous self-knowledge, sustained effort & discipline, and strength of character? People who go through military boot camp and/or special training are congratulated on the achievement. What you’ve done is no less demanding (even if you made changes gradually and skipped the part where authority figures loomed over you encouraging/berating) and required a much more sustained effort with (probably) much less camaraderie to get through the rough spots.

Sorry if it seems I’m jumping down your throat, it pushed a button. It sounded as if you were not giving yourself credit.

Robin Murray

If you can lose 200 pounds you can do anything!

Victoria

I agree completely with you. Justin should have won IMO. Helen won because the fan had the most dramatic makeover but not because of originality or design. I thought Justin did a fantastic job meeting the religious/modest needs of the fan and the fashion aspect. If Helen can win over and over again for black dresses (here’s looking at you black dress with a cape), why can’t Justin win for meeting the requirements in an interesting way

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QFW22QV426LUOEPGASPZJWJMDE MishaFoomin

I thought he was going to win as well. He made a dress for a religious lady look pretty chic. Bradon’s looked a little cheap, as did Helen’s with the little raggedy trim on top.

Sarah

I thought it was a good idea, and I liked it pretty well, but didn’t it look bunchy around the middle? I mean, I thought the fabric wasn’t laying very smoothly on her torso because of the embroidery. Not that the judges seemed to notice, but it might’ve brought the whole look down a bit.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QFW22QV426LUOEPGASPZJWJMDE MishaFoomin

I can only watch it online on my little laptop, and by these pictures here I do not see the bunching. Even if it is, Justin’s client looks the most easy, fresh, comfortable and relaxed. It’s a winning look to me.

Sarah

She did look good, I agree. And you’d never know she had any figure issues. The fact that he made her a support garment was so thoughtful.

HM3

I smell a new whacky challenge: “Dressing Religious People!” Fashionable priestly robes, Amish clothing and hijabs. For the love of God (literally), may this never happen.

Robin Murray

Made me laugh. Hijabs and aprons and yarmulkes, oh my.

HM3

It was truly sad to watch Justin’s reaction to being dismissed from the stage. He had the same “Are you kidding me?!” look as a lot of people in the audience.

SewingSiren

1. In total disagreement with the win. The dress Helen made is a cheap mall goth girl prom dress, the only one that her mother would agree to buy. I don’t think it suits her client, who would have looked good in just about anything. Middle ore even bottom , considering what she had to work with.
2. Bradon did great. He also had a client who asked for edge. I would also guess that the client has modeled before as well.
3. I thought Justin should have won. He met his clients needs and threw a little fashion in there too.
4. Alexander’s was bad. When a client requests something to wear to work and the others are making cocktail and evening, your already in a tough spot. Add jackets with facings and linings , and no dress form with similar size and you have quite a difficult row to hoe. I don’t think his idea was terrible. It is just extremely unfinished.
5. Alexandrea’s isn’t so bad. Again the client wanted something to wear to interviews. That is generally your most conservative outfit. I think it fits the bill more or less.
6. Kate’s is bad. She made her client look like an elf. Bottom 3 for sure.
7.Dom’s dress is okay, but the jacket over an empire waist is so frumpy and and flattering.
8. Ken’s really isn’t that bad. It’s middle work as far as I’m concerned.

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle archer

I knew you were my people.

DuBey2

Hah! I just noticed your icon? or moniker? or Avatar? of Ken with cold cream facemask! I’m too old to know what they are called, sorry.

jeneria

Alexandrea’s outfit looked exactly like something a 20 year old would wear thinking she looked professional. I think that’s my main criticism with it. The girl could have put that outfit together herself, Alexandrea didn’t really design anything.

Call me Bee

Agreed. Alexander made some bad decisions. I understand he wanted to make a real suit for his client, but he could have whipped up an un-structured jacket that didn’t require linings, or maybe an office-appropriate dress with a cardigan or something….A garment that doesn’t require so many steps and can still be stylish.
Sometimes it seems the designers overestimate their own skills considering the time restraints they have.

Sarah

He did say it would take him 4 days to make that in “real life.” So, why he thought he could make it in two, I don’t know, but he obviously couldn’t.

Erica_Vuitton

I think if he had spent less time adding on the black sheer bits, he would’ve had enough time for the necessary parts of the garment. I agreed (prob for the only time) with Zac that that was a time management issue.

SS–I was just thinking about the relative…mediocrity of the designers in the last few seasons compared with those from the early years. Can you imagine what dreck would be devised if this bunch had the “haute couture” challenge of season 3? Makes me shudder….

Meredith_P

Season 3 was the best. I’ve got the DVD and watch it over and over…sigh…Seasons 1 and 2 were good too.

Wellworn

Season 3 was when I started watching, although I have caught up with season 1 and 2 since then. PR used to be fun, now it’s just crazy and mean.

marlie

Honestly, I would have preferred to see more “Project Runway behind-the-scenes” with the superfans, rather than another rendition of Ken’s histrionics.

Stella Zawistowski

Until I scrolled down to Dom’s entry, I was wondering whether not using color was one of the constraints of the challenge.

T.Lo wedding photo? SQUEEEEEEEEEEEE!

jeneria

Kate made her client look like an extra from V. It was positively reptilian and frumpy. I don’t understand why she’s getting a free pass all the time. Just because she was auf’ed early in her season should not mean she’s untouchable this season. That was just hideous. Hideous!

Durannie

Oh where to begin. I have big issues with the producers. Letting in contestants with narcissistic personality disorders is one thing. Letting in people with anger issues is quite another. Sandro was constantly intimating physical violence and he pretty much delivered (albeit he didn’t batter another person). Ken, crippingly insecure, is a mess, but the reactions I read on the PR hashtag? You’d think he was a 7ft steroid junkie gone wild. He’s a short, slightly built man who is no physicial threat to pretty much anyone. When I compare the reaction that Sandro got vs the one Ken got, well, a lot of people out there still buy into and push the angry black man meme.

I mentioned this on the PR hashtag and the replies were just a mess of str8 privilege and idiocy. Women, gay men aren’t addressing you in the same context as str8 men do. That’s one thing that I clearly see happen all the time, especially on that hashtag: Str8 women projecting motivation onto gay men. We don’t want to phsically intimidate you nor silence your voice. When you pull the hectoring and scolding language on us, you’re pulling the same shit that the patriarchy pulls on you.

Anyway, I’m digusted at the producers for letting two people onto the show who should not be put into close quarters with others, and disgusted at the soft bigotry of some of the Lifetime viewers.

valerie747

Huh? “We don’t want to phsically intimidate you nor silence your voice. When you pull the hectoring and scolding language on us, you’re pulling the same shit that the patriarchy pulls on you.”

Were they not pretty much trying to shut YOU up? I’m confused ….

Guest

No, with your privilege you’re just blind to it. Hence my point.

valerie747

My privilege …. could you please explain what you mean? Thanks.

Durannie

They were trying to silence people who didn’t share their same view. One came into my TL on twitter with that mindset and well, let’s just say when someone comes into my TL thinking they’re going to tell me off, it becomes bloodsport. This person beat a hasty retreat.

valerie747

Why a bloodsport instead of a conversation? Is our conversation in jeopardy?

OrigamiRose

But with all due respect, Twitter isn’t where I would go to find deep, meaningful conversation; it appeals to foaming-at-the-mouth types who want to firebomb others in 140 characters of less, and nothing more.

Wellworn

Ken? Is it you?

ddfrog

For me the difference in Sandro and Ken is cultural expectations vs mental instability. Sandro was clearly out of control, but the triggers were clear. Also, I felt like the hitting inanimate objects showed you more how he dealt with the building frustration. You felt that he might physically harm someone but he lashed out against a wall or prop and it was a signal for folks to get out of the way. Ken however, you have no idea where that level of crazy was going. His outbursts seemed to pop out of nowhere and escalated so quickly. And because he didn’t take his anger out physically you didn’t know how it was going to manifest itself. The unknown is always more scary than the known.

SewingSiren

Actually in addition to hitting several inanimate object, such as a dress form, Sandro grabbed a production assistant and forced them into the workroom to show him how to use the iron. He also shoved a camera man when he stormed off the set.
Alexander swatted the hot iron off the ironing board in the very cramped hotel room, which could have it a contestant or a camera man.
Ken always just mouths off. Would it be irritating? yes. Dangerous? no.

Durannie

I had several people on the PR hashtag tweet at me that “Ken threw a hot iron.” Yes, they really tweeted that. I don’t doubt that is what they think they saw but that just brings up their prejudices. Ken did not belong on that show for sure, as did Sandro, but people’s reactions have laid bare a lot of their own inner issues.

jayetyler

Depends on how you define “dangerous.” Verbal and emotional abuse and improperly directed rage can wound just as much as physical violence, sometimes more. Honestly, if I were on the show, I’d be more scared of Ken than Sandro (but that could be my own personal baggage from having grown up with a mother like him). And no, I’m not defending Sandro; I also think he should never have been cast due to his anger issues.

Dealing with people like Ken is emotionally exhausting, stressful and puts you in a constant state of fear, particularly as you have no clue what is going to set them off. It’s really effing hard to walk around on eggshells all the time, to brush off another’s anger, to avoid their attempts to cause confrontation, to not internalize any of the abuse that they are heaping on you.

Do you honestly think that Braden or Alexander would have been able to sleep that night if the production hadn’t removed Ken from the room? Or weren’t extremely uncomfortable being in the designer lounge/workroom the next day? I’m not surprised Alexander struggled; unless he’s a robot, there’s no way Ken’s tantrum did not effect his ability to concentrate/perform.

I always liked Alexander but I kind of gained even more respect for him last night. No, he shouldn’t have thrown the iron but he was incredibly calm at the beginning and attempted to diffuse the situation by using humor. Unfortunately, Ken was determined to start a fight & Alexander became frustrated. But he didn’t put anyone in harm by knocking the iron down– it wasn’t anywhere near another contestant or a cameramen.

Angela_the_Librarian

You are entitled to your opinion, and I do think that Sandro was just as problematic, but I also don’t understand the argument that just because someone isn’t physically domineering that people can’t feel scared or threatened by them. You don’t need to be a “7ft steroid junky gone wild” to be intimidating to others. Ken clearly does have anger issues, even if they didn’t manifest in a physical manner. It can be mentally exhausting to work and live with someone who seems to get explosively angry at the drop of hat.

Durannie

Well, you certainly know how to project. My case in point.

Angela_the_Librarian

Not projecting, just making an observation.

Durannie

LOL right. Privilege is a hell of a drug.

http://www.tomandlorenzo.com/ Tom and Lorenzo

Alright, enough. You seem to have no point or goal other than to stir things up by making vague accusations and then mocking people. Either engage the argument or get out.

Durannie

Well, I’m out then.

s elin

Love the Rick James reference (“Cocaine is a hell of a drug”)!

Durannie

I was being a bit glib and shouldn’t have said that, but it’s a cool phrase to use in the right context.

Durannie

I do apologize for mocking your reaction. My point that I was trying to make is that while some people viewed him as scary and threatening, others who have a different perspective, such as being gay or being a PoC, saw him as deeply troubled but hardly a physical threat to anyone. Did he belong on a reality TV show? Absolutely not. Neither he nor Sandro should have made it past a psych eval, and for that I lay blame squarely at the foot of the producers. Watching quirks, idiosyncrasies and egos run amok are one thing: watching people with deep, very troubling issues is just sad, and the other people on a show should not be subjected to it.

That’s what I was trying to say so please accept my apology. I really didn’t want to mock you or anyone here, just wanted to make it clear that there are other perspectives on the matter.

And besides him needing to be removed from the show, that puke green nothing he created made my eyes bleed.

susan6

You want “hectoring and scolding”? Try these gems:

“I’m speaking, so you need to be quiet.”
“It’s best if you don’t even look at me.”
I don’t know if “cripplingly insecure” applies here. Ken clearly has mental issues, but lack of ego is not one of them.

formerlyAnon

Extreme insecurity often comes out as exaggerated insistence on one’s perceived rights. Not for every one who’s insecure, obviously, but I’m certainly convinced I’ve seen it happen many times & it is, legitimately (as I understand it, I am not a medical professional), a behavioral trait that goes into making some diagnoses.

Just another reason why human interactions can be so difficult, even among the well-meaning.

dorothea_brooke

I agree with a lot of this. Ken never should have been on the show; he clearly has mental health issues and was unable to handle the stress. And from his output, there wasn’t much evidence that he was there for any other reason than to stir drama. Furthermore, it’s “let’s put the troubled black guy in a pressure cooker and see what happens.” Remember when Alexandria say “you can be our chauffeur” to him? How is the racism of that never addressed? Shame on Lifetime.

Meredith_P

I would double check what Alexandria said. It may have been more in the form of a question, after Ken was already in the drivers seat. But I may be totally wrong, and there’s no way I’m going to go back and slog through to find it.

http://www.GiftedCollector.com/ The Gifted Collector

You are totally wrong. When they were told they would be driving around town in the Lexus, Alexandria said to him, “Are you going to be our chauffeur?” He did not take the driver’s seat. One of his two female teammates (I don’t remember which one) drove the car.

the chick banal

Yes, it was just as they were teamed up, before they were even near the car. And it wasn’t Alexandria, it was Susan who said it. I remember because a) it made me cringe, and b) I only watched the episode recently, as I am getting caught up on this season.

http://www.GiftedCollector.com/ The Gifted Collector

Thanks for correcting my correction. I just blindly followed what the others above had said and forgot that it was Susan who actually said it. Still a nasty thing to say, whoever said it.

dorothea_brooke

It wasn’t overt, but definitely insensitive. Another commenter has pointed out to me that it was Sue.

kahudson

Sue asked “Are you going to be our chauffeur?”

dorothea_brooke

Ya know, I meant to amend this the other day and say that for Alexandria, for whom English isn’t a first language, the words may not have quite the same weight, but as it was Sue I’m going to stick by my original opinion. It was at the very least a wildly insensitive thing to say.

putacorkinit

I’m sorry but this nonsensical jargon doesn’t disguise the fact that bullying behaviour is not excusable by a reference to someone’s sexuality or gender.

Durannie

No one is excusing bullying, but the reactions to it were vastly different for Sandro and Ken, so yes, race, sexuality and gender do come into play.

putacorkinit

I disagree. I think both men behaved badly but in different ways and both were treated in different ways, not because of their various ethnic, sexual and gender categorisations, but because the variations in their behaviours and in the varying circumstances in which those behaviours played out.

Durannie

Okay, so small-stature 5ft gay man from Birmingham is a threat, but large, openly physicially aggressive white man is viewed as an asshole but not threatening. Or at least that’s the takeaway that many of us got from various blog posts and tweets on various sites. No, you may disagree, but race does play a major part in this. As a good friend of mine said today (a very accomplished design professional and FIT grad so she knows the business): Really, this 5ft black gay man from Birmingham. Birmingham. He’s got insecurity and inadequacy issues and a mouth on him but that’s physically threatening? That’s her perspective as a WoC.

You’re telling me your perspective, but my perspective as a gay man is that this guy is a mess for sure, but so damaged and insecure that he verbally lashes out, but is not a physical threat. I’ve dealt with many guys just like him in my life, and they drain the energy from everyone around them, but they don’t break people’s skulls with pipes.

Again, not trying to light fires here, but there are other perspectives out there.

putacorkinit

I refer you to the individual cases of Dennis Nilsen and Robert Durst.

Durannie

Irrelevant. I see this is going nowhere so have a good day!

putacorkinit

Phew. Thank god, he’s gone.

s elin

I agree. Sandro physically attacked a camera man. Sandro was a threat. All Ken did (and I do not mean to gloss over his behavior) was verbally assault people. Just as damaging emotionally, I agree, but not physically threatening. I also agree that such behavior could be a harbinger of worse things to come, but none of those things were realized. As Durannie said, Ken would drain the life out of you, but was unlikely to physically hurt anyone. The proof: he didn’t hurt anyone, and he was in the public eye much longer than Sandro, who flamed out fast.

BeccaGo

Amen. I’ve been saying this all along. You can’t just sweep the troubling racial overtones under the rug. They’re there, whether you want to address them or not.

Karen North

Traditionally I think some of the “designers” came to the show with illusions of landing a fashion career and somewhere in the process wound up expending more energy loving their face on the camera. (and exuded their worst personality traits just to satisfy their own ego). In Helen’s case I feel she started off with the attitude of; I’m here to get my bad self noticed on TV as much as possible, and wound up actually thinking she might want to give the whole fashion thing a shot.

Wellworn

It was weird with Helen, the way she proclaimed how tough she was at the beginning of the season and I have yet to see real toughness. Maybe she did that just to get in, knowing the PR wants drama. Relieved that she isn’t another head case. We have had enough of them this season.

guest2visits

Helen reminds me of Jeffery Sebalia – all mouth about being badass, edgy, rocknroll, etc… playing a game with the rest of the contestants. Until they get in a jam – teary and humble.

valerie747

I adore people like that. Looking all tough on the exterior and in reality being sweet & tender on the inside. However, I remember Jeffery being sort of mean to his “real woman” client (someone’s mother). Am I remembering correctly?

Angela_the_Librarian

Yes! It was the infamous “Angela’s Mom” incident where Angela’s Mom cried (I think it was during a fitting?). Ugh, I can’t believe they’re bringing him back for the all star season. I don’t think they should bring any winners back, but I definitely saw enough of Jeffery during his season. The only thing that comforts me is that Seth Aaron will also be on the show and will hopefully counter balance Jeffery’s presence.

guest2visits

I am SO ticked off they are using previous winners. I can see past contestants getting a second shot; not people who have already taken home the prize. Of all the many good, thoughtful suggestions PR fans have made about improving the quality, interest, or fairness of the show – retreading winners was never one of them.
If they’re having trouble finding fresh meat (er;.contestants) then maybe that’s telling the producers something needs to change about the way designers are used on the show.

guest2visits

Yes – he was mean to someone’s mom – I think Laura B’s..? Not certain. But I thought he tried out his mean, assy little attitude on whoever was around. I don’t think Helen has been quite as overt as JS – but there have been a lot of highly assy contestants this episode to contend with. I’m trying to think of a better descriptor than assy. Maybe BS’er. Miss BS with a minor in goth drama.

Wellworn

Yes, exactly. Oh but I couldn’t stand that angry little peanut. Even though I didn’t like him or his win, I loved watching the show then. Compare those seasons to what happens now. It’s like night and day. Sad devolution of a once good show.

http://www.GiftedCollector.com/ The Gifted Collector

Helen said right from the beginning that people would be surprised to find out that her external toughness hid a soft interior.

Wellworn

I think her tatooed rocker look is tough, but I have never seen her act tough so I was basing my opinion on that. Not surprised and quite relieved that she just seems like a non-drama girl. I’m just so tired of the mental instability and meanness among many of the contestants. It makes the show less fun for me to watch.

NMMagpie

Wow… If there was ever a cautionary tale about casting, this season has been it. What made Ken’s histrionics all the worse was that mask he was wearing. I just kept saying “nonono” to myself. If this had not been the superfan challenge, he would have been out of there that night.

As to the challenge, it was Justin who delivered. He was the right designer for the not-random button bag for his client to get. I know many Mormon women and he got it completely right with making sure all the modesty requirements were met. She was completely happy and as most real women will not wear the majority of the types of fashion we see here, he just nailed it. Well done.

At least we did not get a Vin-like reaction to one of these fabulous women. They were all game and wonderful and for me, they made this one of the more enjoyable episodes, contestant drama aside.

formerlyAnon

” If there was ever a cautionary tale about casting, this season has been it.”
THIS.

housefulofboys

Le sigh. I have Bradon’s model’s haircut (although I style it better!), I guess I need a new haircut. In my defense, I really am in my second half-century. She’s probably in her 30’s and just looks like she’s my age…

jayetyler

I think that haircut looks great on some (like Joanna Coles); it all depends on the face shape & how you style it. I bet you rock that style!

Pennymac

Next office melt down will be followed with YOU BETTER GET SOMEBODY. I need this as a text notification tone!

I am remembering a phone call Ken made to his Mama. She seemed skilled at calming Ken down and soothing his sharp edges. She is probably his rudder in life, and when she is not around, he drifts.

Fordzo

But then, in another episode, he talked to some lady from his church.

valerie747

I am probably mistaken I thought he called his Mama, but he called a Mother-figure. Thanks!

jayetyler

I had a different take. I think she came across as a classic enabler. But I know my personal baggage clouds my view on this.

NMMagpie

He called her his spiritual mother.

Fordzo

Right, but he called her something. Not a deaconess. But some kind of Ken-appointed title, I thought.

OmegaMu

First Lady of his church, I assume that’s the Pastor’s wife.

Qitkat

Spiritual Advisor?

guest2visits

I think you’re right – but I can’t recall it. I thought his mom passed him onto this other person.

Wellworn

I was thinking sad ugly Peter Pan top too. I don’t get the love for everything Kate does. That top should have been in the bottom. There were too many problems with Alexander’s construction, but I understand where he was going with the suit, and he deserved credit for not only attempting a challenging design, but also for just trying to make it through the day watching Ken be all kissy face with the girls like nothing happened, who if they had seen how he acted, wouldn’t have spoken to him at all. All those looks from the guys who witnessed his behavior the night before, watching him in the workroom the next day, spoke volumes. They were afraid of him, and I would be too. I actually thought Ken’s dress was flattering (at least in the front) on his model, and wasn’t worthy of the bottom, but so glad he’s gone. I hope Ken and all the other drama queens from this season and past seasons get their mental issues in order, because they will have real difficulty finding any work in the fashion industry now. Maybe PR needs to have a mental rehab season, so all those former drama queen designers can redeem themselves now that they are receiving the proper meds and therapy. I won’t watch though.

Fordzo

I squealed and bought my issue of People last night. I clearly love you the mostest.

Call me Bee

Oh Dear Uncles. Please do not question our love. It is unfailing.

Anyhoo….that Ken business was so unsavory to watch, it was embarrassing. If I had been in that designer’s lounge, I would have certainly said, “I’m glad you’re out. You should not be here.” I’m sure that would have ended up on the cutting room floor.
The other thing that was so so overshadowed by Ken’s drama, is that Kate, again, skated through with a completely horrible design. My hubs said her model looked like Jiminy Cricket, though he wears a pretty cool hat…. I was appalled that Kate was not called out for that ridiculous outfit for that poor woman. Hurrrumpf.

putacorkinit

Mine isn’t.

Fordzo

Why are they staying in tiny hotel rooms this year? Don’t they usually stay in more of an apartment setting, with a kitchen (or, at least, a kitchenette) and seperate bedrooms?

http://www.GiftedCollector.com/ The Gifted Collector

$$

Cheryl

I read about this hotel, The Refinery. At first I thought it was a re-furbed sugar refinery, but it turns out that it was a millinery manufacturing factory in the garment center. It’s not a cheap hotel, although that’s what it seems like from these rooms. (The Domino Sugar Refinery in Brooklyn actually is being re-habbed into condos.) I wonder if they get a food allowance, or if they are mostly eating from that craft services candy bar buffet?

Fordzo

Did you notice all the bags of chips and snacks in the corner, too? All that junk food will cause a mood disorder in even the most stable of personalities.

DuBey2

Right: I saw that and thought that Ken ( & ??Justin??) had a messy room which they needed to clean a little in order to make room for the new “roommates”. I hope PR pays for some decent meals for these designers (and housekeeping)

lobsterlen

This sounds horrible on every level. Its sounds like a new low for show that at one time my whole family enjoyed. I am glad I managed to keep my pledge of not watching any longer. I am not exactly sure what the challenge was but every single dress is horrible.

Ruth Sawyer

Ha!! Little man called the Auf again the second he saw it. “I DON’T like that, Momma. I don’t like that stripe dress!” Most everything else was either “weird,” “tight,” (one of his sensory things is he hates tight clothing, so this is his way of saying it looks very uncomfortable), or in Kate’s case, weird AND tight… the most insulting thing he knows to say about clothes LOL.

NMMagpie

I love your kid. I love that you both get to share like that.

Ruth Sawyer

When I saw he was half-watching the runway shows when they came on (or at least Heidi’s clothes. He loves Heidi.), I realized I could use it as a tool for him to practice expressing his thoughts and opinions on something fairly abstract, in a place where he feels safe and valued. It’s also short enough that he doesn’t get too tired doing so.

Qitkat

How did you handle explaining the anger segments? Or was he being a typical four year old with wandering attention?

valerie747

Yes, Kate’s top was tight. I can imagine how the Super-Fan’s flesh puckered when the garment was removed. Like wearing a tight sieve-sleave. Useful for straining spaghetti.

Paula Pertile

I was a little afraid of the guest judge – her hair, actually.

Dom’s ginormous blue feather earring (near the beginning) – ?

Heidi’s eye make-up was scary, yes?

Hope Ken gets some help. Bless.

alannaofdoom

Alexander throwing the iron was not great, but I forgive him because of his perfect “Are you seeing this?” look to camera while Ken was ironing.

DuBey2

I loved his comment “You’re not the only one who can throw Drama” (or something to that effect)

MarieLD

While I fully intend to buy People magazine now, I thought I’d get a quick look here in the library… but darn it… a patron has already grabbed the latest issue. Damn those patrons.

Rhonda Shore

In the picture of Justin’s dress, the embroidery looks like out-of-place iphone earbuds…

Sonja Brisson

I thought it was all bad. Even the black evening dress everyone went crazy over — I dunno. Take a look at that zipper. That fan woman would have looked good in absolutely anything, and Afterschool Special did a black (OK, I know it was navy, but reads black) strapless, sort of Goth dress. Whatever.

The knockout blonde was turned into a Socker Mom with the it-looks-like-a-wig hair and another bad, boring, black Chico’s dress. In fact, the remainder all looked like superbad I-give-up-Chico schmattes (the 20 year old in what?? for interviews ??) were so abysmal that they should have all been auf’d.

And just have to say, you never, ever, ever, put a woman with cankles in booties. Ever.

OmegaMu

When the door/jorts/iron shit started to come down, Bradon simply disappeared. High-tailed it back to the other room and good for him.

valerie747

Exactly! That is the crucial difference. All of us are capable of “losing it” for a second. Then, we check ourselves and re-group.

Not everyone has the capability to carry on for a lengthy amount of time and verbally assault innocent by-standers attempting to bring calm into the situation.

The difference is what happened AFTER the initial incident.

Erica_Vuitton

I loved Justin’s “I’m not getting involved.” comment. Smart move.

formerlyAnon

Yeah. My takeaway from this season is that I’d be offering Justin a job. Or applying to work for him.

http://onionjam.tumblr.com SkipperJane

Ken kept reminding me of this quote from Neil Gaiman:

“People keep working, in a freelance world, and more and more of today’s world is freelance, because their work is good, and because they are easy to get along with, and because they deliver the work on time. And you don’t even need all three. Two out of three is fine. People will tolerate how unpleasant you are if your work is good and you deliver it on time. They’ll forgive the lateness of the work if it’s good, and if they like you. And you don’t have to be as good as the others if you’re on time and it’s always a pleasure to hear from you.”

True, his issues seem to go deeper than an abrasive personality a la Jeffrey Sebelia, but if he’s ever going to do anything in fashion he either needs to become a much better designer or improve his behavior significantly.

ThaliaMenninger

Wow, that quote is really on target from my experience with freelance writing, as well. I was almost never on time, but they kept buying from me, so I guess I must’ve been pleasant and my work was good. And I never got why they bought a bunch of crappy books from nice people. They must’ve been on time!

SewingSiren

Ha. Maybe that’s true if you’re Neil Gaiman. But in fashion freelance if you don’t meet deadline you won’t get paid, nice or not.
If you’re nice and do mediocre work they just won’t use you again.

http://frankbettecenter.org/ sleah_in_norcal

i don’t remember jeffrey ever threatening violence, and that put him a class above ken, who threatened to do something horrible to someone every other minute (exaggeration.)

demidaemon

No, he was just generally horrible and sometime misogynistic.

Rebekah B

YES. PETER PAN. I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought that.

The annoying and now obvious pattern of the crazies blowing up and then going home is getting old, but I’m just glad Ken’s gone. Long overdue, I say.

jeneria

I said it below, but I thought science fiction reptile woman, not Peter Pan. No matter what, it was hideous.

http://frankbettecenter.org/ sleah_in_norcal

seems like ken blew up every episode, once sandro was gone. he was probably scared to try that shit with the mad russian around.

BelleBook

Bye-bye, Ken! You won’t be missed — least of all by me! You made the mistake of listening more to your client than to your own instincts. But that wasn’t the only problem you wound up paying for. The *second* one applies to both you and Sandro — just being unsuited for the pressure of the show.

And I have one final thing to say to both you and Sandro: what a pair of maroons!

fringebenefit

Wow. One again, do not get the effusive praise for Helen. That looked like a red carpet dress from Ross. It was certainly fine, but no winner. “One to beat” TLo? Middle of the pack, maybe.

d4divine

I think I am done with Project Runway.

ewes_urn_aim

Dom’s fabric looks almost identical to Emilio Sosa’s from the All Stars (Tom&Lo- PR All Stars; 23 Skidoo! Dec 21, 2012). The second time that’s happened (Austin and somebody else).

ChaquitaPhilly

…andy why was he ironing those shorts, anyway?

SewingSiren

It was in the script.

mhleta

A gay black man in a white mask ironing his Daisy Dukes in the doorway at 1 in the goddam morning gets into an epic dust up with the drag representative for the Lollipop Guild. That right there is a set up for a genius piece of improv.

Rand Ortega

I can see SNL parodying this like they did Christian (God, I love Amy Poehler).

http://www.GiftedCollector.com/ The Gifted Collector

Your question reminds me of that old joke:

Man asks his wife why she is ironing her bra when she doesn’t have much to put in it. She answers, “I iron your shorts, don’t I?”

Glam Dixie

I shouted Robin Hood when I saw Kate’s outfit. Hideous. Ken infuriates me. I would have been in his face, Alexander is the soul of amiability and restraint.

NMMagpie

LOLOL!!! You are SO right on! I was watching Robin Hood JUST LAST NIGHT and I was hating all the bad costuming choices and you are 100% right: Kate’s would have been right in there for sure.

If not for Richard Armitage, I would not be watching that show at all.

Meredith_P

Mmmmm….Richard Armitage….Mmmmmm. You mean there are other people in the series?

NMMagpie

I love you, man.

Jenny Ziv Scott

I think there have been many contestants with personality disorders over the years. Jeffrey Sebelia, Wendy Pepper, Vincent, the Michael guy who punched the wall when he was auf’d. None of them compare to Ken. While those others created conflict and chaos, Ken got downright angry. He was in a rage after creating the condition for him to fly into a rage. He stood in that doorway to create trouble. When it got pushed back on him, he threw a tantrum that a 5 year would. I’ve never seen anyone involve the production crew nor have I seen anyone be told to take a deep breath and refuse. I work on a crisis line and most people calling will, at least, breathe because they want to calm down. Ken wanted to rage. I’m glad he’s gone.

Stubenville

Dear producers – stop trying to “Make Kate Happen.” She had the worst garment on the runway last night and royally deserved bottom three if not the auf. Stop giving the teacher’s pet passes.

NMMagpie

Preach it, brother.

ShaoLinKitten

AMEN,

s elin

If Kate wins, so what? At this stage, is there any one else who really deserves to win? Would I be screaming that “X” was robbed if Kate wins? I don’t think there will be any Gretchen or Anya drama this year because none of the contestants are that engaging or talented.

unbornfawn

Really sick of the psychos they have been casting for “drama” it is cruel to those individuals. They need help. Not to be put on display and is very uncomfortable for the audience. Or at least this audience member. Loved the ladies. What is the difference between a fan and a superfan of PR anyway? I think any BK who has been hanging out since Project Rungay is a superfan. Some kind of fix is in for Kate. TLo saw Peter Pan, I screamed Robin Hood when I saw it walk.

formerlyAnon

“Really sick of the psychos they have been casting for “drama” it is cruel to those individuals. They need help. Not to be put on display and is very uncomfortable for the audience.”

Yes. If I dwell on it, it will make me angry that they obviously select FOR people with issues who they think will cause drama.

s elin

If Kate is annointed, Alexandria is blessed. She escaped elimination only because Ken chose this episode to melt down in spectacular fashion. Her model is a 20-year old who describes herself as artistic. Alexandria turned her into a middle-aged clerical.

Lilyana_F

Wow, this season is seriously lacking in talent… They should really reconsider their casting strategy, or just call it Project Psych Ward and get it over with.

OrigamiRose

I think they should give Swatch a role in the casting process. He couldn’t possibly do a worse job than whoever is doing it now.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QFW22QV426LUOEPGASPZJWJMDE MishaFoomin

I believe dogs can sense true evil, so Swatch ought to be able to weed out the bad ones easily enough.

Anthony Parello

Alexander’s dress as shown on his model made me think of Matron Mama Morton from Chicago.

Shawn EH

Helen deserved this win; she just got exactly what her client was going for, and did her best to make it happen. I loved her judgment that such a transformation was “long overdue,” that was spot on empathy. Though she’s also really lucky about the hair makeover, because that kept the dress out of Morticia territory.

I think this was Justin’s personal best, and really ridiculously flattering on his model. He really made her look great, the dress is very well-made. But, ha ha, “Peter Pan!?” Exactly.

Imasewsure

“If you don’t do this right now, then we question your love for us.” AND RIGHTLY SO DEAR UNCLES!! XXOO

rh33

As soon as Tim said Ken could keep his room he was really thinking, “Ken can keep his room because he won’t using it another night.”

Erica_Vuitton

Ken should’ve been forced to leave the show after the second outburst. NO ONE should be subjected to someone screaming in their face that way. I tweeted in applause for the production staffer who had the restraint not to slap him viciously. Because I would never have been able to be that calm. I DON’T agree that Alexander should’ve been reprimanded at all for his behavior. He pushed the ironing board and the iron fell over. It’s not like he threw it at Ken or something. I really hope that the producers on PR are seeing fan’s comments and reactions and finally understand their fans DO NOT want to see this kind of behavior. If we did, we’d be watching a different show. And after displaying that kind of behavior I wouldn’t wear his clothes if you paid me. BUT he doesn’t “make clothes for real women” so clearly, he’s not trying to be a fashion designer anyway. #KissYourCareerGoodbyeKen /rant

I almost got teary at the genuine enthusiasm and appreciation these women had to be a part of the show. And I was glad some of the designers saw that and said “Oh yeah, being on this show is AWESOME and I shouldn’t take it for granted.” even if it was just for a good line.

While I thought Helen had a beautiful dress and the most dramatic make over, I thought Justin should’ve won. He met all the needs of the client, gave her a beautiful fresh look (make up/hair), and a dress that was so unique and special just for her that should could wear for a multitude of occasions. He didn’t ignore, scoff, or complain about her religious constraints, he made them work. PLUS the fact that he took the time and effort to build undergarments to make 100% sure she felt confident and looked slammin in her dress just makes me want to hug him. THAT is how a designer works WITH a client, not just for them. Yes there were a few bunches and pulls, but Helen’s dress was not without it’s own construction flaws.

valerie747

I completely agree with your comments about Justin and how respectful he was of his client’s needs. Thank you.

sk8tfan

I particularly loved the fact that he was sensitive to his client’s issues with the extra skin from her weight loss, and designed undergarments to address it and make her look better and feel better. I admired him for that. He won’t win the show, but he’ll win in life.

http://dontmakeitlikeimdumb.blogspot.com/ annabelle YBGS archer

yes. all the yes.

ShaoLinKitten

I too liked Justin’s the best too. Helen had the most dramatic outcome, but most of that was due to the hair and makeup. The dress to me was just meh. The fabric was too shiny and I didn’t like the tucking at the waist.

Tracy_Flick

Mmm hmmm. He has respect and kindness for his fellow humans, and he did a great job. If I were to hire any of these designers to make a special occasion dress for me, I think it would be Justin. Maybe Alexander or Bradon a close second. Kate is too bridesmaid-Pinterest, Helen and Dom are hit-or-miss, Alexandria is Nordic-modern-terrifying. Ken clearly needs help.

BeccaGo

Nordic Modern Terrifying would make great band name.

NYCGlamourpuss

I agree with all of your comments, 100%. And I also agree that Justin should have won.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=573582655 Margaret Leyden

I keep looking at the picture of Ken and Alexander and in my head I hear, “It’s Howdy Doody time, it’s Howdy Doody time” I think all the drama with Ken has addled my brain.

Samuel Joesph Donovan

*rushes out the door to buy People magazine*

*doesn’t even pause to comment on how he sighed in relief when Ken was eliminated, instead of hooting with victory*

Samuel Joesph Donovan

But before I go: WTF IS THAT THING THAT KATE DID MAKE.

ShaoLinKitten

Your assessment, as always, is spot on. Kate’s was an atrocity and should have been in the bottom, if not auf. Hideous. Way worse than any of the bottom 3. Clearly this was engineered to get rid of Ken, and to chastise Alexander, but Alexandria’s was not as bad as Kate’s.

Samuel Joesph Donovan

Alexander is totally being set up to get auf’d next episode and he knows it,

ShaoLinKitten

You know, I hope not. I looked at the collections and I LOVED Alexander’s. Very McQueen and fun.

NYCGlamourpuss

I don’t think he’s getting the auf just yet either – I hope not as well. I think he had one bad challenge, made worse by the fact that he was still upset by the events from the night before. As long as Ken was still in the mix, that could have happened to any of them.

Meredith_P

He did seem genuinely shaken by the events of the night before. That can really affect your productivity. When I’ve had a run-in with someone, I practically curl up in a little ball. Kudos for him for what he did accomplish. And he seemed to feel bad about his own behavior too.

Lenora Dody

I bought it yesterday after I saw your Facebook post! My love is true! Doesn’t it seem like this year, it’s not just people with reality tv emotional problems but people with severe emotional disorders?

formerlyAnon

Skipping right over what once would have been “the good part” to the ACTUAL good part: Congrats! PEOPLE! Does this mean they’ll review the book? Can it be so leveraged?

While it makes me feel like a bit too much like a fangirl, I will actually purchase my first ever copy of People (and I am waaaay older than the mag). I’ve only ever read it at my in-laws’ and the dentist’s office and the library and if someone leaves a copy on a plane. It’s a watershed. I hope I don’t get all verklempt or have a panic attack at the register. Or something.

jrbear

seemed like an off-week for most of the designers. did the negativity of Ken ruin it for all of them?
Has the pace of the one-day challenges messed them up when they had 2 days?
Per the PR site..the viewer rankings: Top 3:
Helen Wheels: 3.92. the winner, 1st time the viewers agreed w/ the judges. really nice black runway gown..a total makeover. I did not like her short hair all that much. 4th win for her?
Justin Time: 3.88. a very close 2nd w/ a nice black dress w/ the white ‘signature’. He’s come a long way since being saved..Tim was right!
Modern Family Brandon: 3.62 nice black dress/vest combo with black plastic highlights. her short hair looked really great! shows that short hair CAN look good.

I love cardigans and sweater-jackets, much preferred over jackets which i find so much more restrictive/confining/uncomfortable. Also, for women w/big boobs, sweaters (particularly w/zippers) are a much more flattering look.

AnneElliot

Well, I don’t know a single librarian that dresses like Peter Pan, so there’s that.

Robin Murray

In the “real woman” challenge, it seems like the skinny model (almost) always wins. I would love to see photos from each challenge to either back me up or call bullshit, but this win backed me up. Lovely dress, lovely model; would have been almost impossible to make this dress look good on anyone over a size 10.

The other issue PR never deals with on these challenges: It can be twice as expensive to buy the fabric for a garment for a size 10 (rather than a size 2), so the contestant with a larger model has an inherent disadvantage.

GillianHolroyd

“It can be twice as expensive to buy the fabric for a garment for a size 10 (rather than a size 2)”

Yes, that’s true but I think the fabric allowance is quite generous. They always seems to have several options in their check out basket, as per Dom’s last-minute winner last week.

onetinkerbell

Except Dom was designing for a size 2 model, so 2 yards would go much farther than it would on a size 10. The designers routinely buy amounts that seem too small to allow for mistakes or changes in design.

SewingSiren

The yardage needed to cut a 2 or a 10 would not be significant. Most of the fabric they are using is between 45″ and 60″ wide.

Robin Murray

I guess my experience is different than yours. (I have been sewing for more than 20 years, and have sewn for size twos to size fourteens.) I have seen yardage double between a size 2 and a 12, especially if it is not an option to piece (seam) the garment for aesthetic reasons.

Meredith_P

In manufacturing, maybe, but not for the PR challenges.

Robin Murray

My intuition is that the opposite is more likely true. In manufacturing, cloth can be specifically woven to a width suitable for its intended designer/garments. The home sewer must make do with the widths of fabric available at a retail level, thus making the process more costly. Perhaps I am wrong — if I had one question to ask Tim Gunn, this would be it!

SewingSiren

Even less so. A production maker is truly a thing to behold. Waste not want not being the motto. Or waste not profit, more like.

DuBey2

I can’t remember a “real woman” challenge where a size 10 or up won 1st prize. TLo themselves said it in their analysis of last season and it totally cracked me up.
Plus, anyone else notice how Tim said “don’t worry, it was all done fairly when we assigned your models to you. We used the Button Bag!!!”

Oh, Tim, that makes us all feel so much better.

mhleta

I’m seeing a time in the not-so-distant future where Project Runway and American Horror Story are combined conceptually to make one incredibly effed up reality TV show. The premise involves going into a psych ward and giving the patients fabric and sharp instruments and challenging the voices in their heads to design an outfit for contestants who have been kidnapped from the parking lot of the local Walmart. The judges would be a fallen nun, an exorcist and a runaway pregnant teen.

BeccaGo

Would totally watch.

Tracy_Flick

1. Helen. I liked it, the draping and movement were nice. It fit well. But I didn’t like the little underskirt in that chiffon or whatever it was. It was sort of a needle-scratch moment, it just looked awkward.

2. Bradon. Cute, but seriously boring.

3. Justin. I thought the seaming and gathering was really flattering on her. But I think a different neckline would have balanced the shape better, she has narrow shoulders and that neckline makes the dress a little bottom-heavy.

4. Alexander. Good lord, that was some boring fabric. Cheap, unlined suit, ugh. I liked the shape, and I like him, but that was bad.

6. Kate. WTF? Sexy mom look? No. That woman could have looked bombshell, but that outfit was so utterly unflattering. Too many layers, awkward neckline. The fit and cut of that lace looks like a medical device, like something you’d wear after surgery to avoid blood clots.

7. Dom. I don’t mind the print, but the bustline is not supporting her enough. And the bland beige jacket and beige booties – WHYYYYY????

8. So poorly fitted, with such cheap-looking fabric. I actually think Kate’s was worse, though.

mhleta

A fitted jacket with Dom’s outfit would have been a much better choice than that flapping POS she threw together. I really hated that jacket with that dress.

AutumnInNY

And the booties, cutting her off at the ankle like that. Not flattering to the client. The print was hideous as well—Tim hinted at that in the workroom. She should have been in the bottom 4.
I can’t figure out how Kate keeps squeaking by either. The Peter Pan ensemble was hideous.

GillianHolroyd

That print was heinous, wasn’t it? And an ugly color to boot. The droopy jacket was a mistake. I thought the dress fit her client well and I was relieved that she was safe.

angryparsnip

I loved this site. Especially the lack and white striped dress and the comic “pow”.
You jump up on that soapbox anytime you want !

cheers parsnip

EverybodysStarling

Peter Pan after having lied in the woods burried by leafs and moss for 3 weeks, perhaps.

Fannie Wolston

This entire season is an Afterschool Special, I miss the articulate designers from last season who knew their muse and how to design for her.

Coco Cornejo

The Ken situation has potential lawsuit written all over it. The edit smacks of “Here’s where we tried to get him to calm down. Here’s where the person he argued with was in the bottom too, no bias there. Here’s where we gave him another chance.” The producers took the defensive route. They gave him three strikes and now he’s out. Unfortunately everyone else involved in the show had to put up with the crazy behavior in the meantime.

Lattis

Yeah – lawsuit or worse. It is not fun to watch someone in real distress melting down. And even if you put aside the ethics of choosing a contestant for reality tv who is on shaky emotional/mental ground, you’d think – given events in the real world – that reality tv would realize that no workplace is completely safe or invulnerable.

I worked in an office where a mentally ill coworker stabbed another coworker (with scissors). Can’t think of anything that would harm the PR franchise more than an act of violence committed by someone who wasn’t fit to be in such a high pressure situation. It wouldn’t be fun to watch someone getting hurt.

Kate4queen

And I think Alexander was very shaken up by that confrontation and it certainly didn’t help him focus the next day. The body language of everyone in the Tim/Ken/ make up session was not comfortable at all-I have to wonder how long Ken was screaming at everyone for. Having dealt with a person with a personality disorder in my own life that sudden rage can be terrifying.

DuBey2

This makes the most sense to me. Your analysis, as well as your name (Coco!) is excellent.

putacorkinit

I was stunned and disappointed by Bradon’s approach to his model – a woman with a great figure and a superb look already. He put her in a dress that looked cheap and made her her look dumpy. It was a reverse make-over to my untrained eye.

Helen’s model though was a gift. She did everything but turn to the camera while taking off her glasses and transform my a coltish library geek into a supermodel before her eyes while Freddie Prinz Jr. stepped in to kiss her.

Anyone else surprised that Alexandria, who seemed to have such taste and precision in the first few rounds, now seems winded and very ordinary in her design choices? I thought she might be one of the great characters in the season but she has become anonymous. She lacks that spine of steel that made Laura into a daywalking legend.

DuBey2

This: I was stunned and disappointed by Bradon’s approach to his model – a
woman with a great figure and a superb look already. He put her in a
dress that looked cheap and made her her look dumpy. It was a reverse
make-over to my untrained eye.
I went back and looked at how much slimmer she looked in her blouse she wore on the 1st day meeting with Bradon. And I also hated the shape of the vest and its epaulets — I was very disappointed. They had 2 days (and he had Leather!!! which he splurged on), and it didn’t really show in his work.

queenceleste

I loved his look. I work in NYC media, land of intimidating strong women, and she would fit right in without anyone giving her a secon look. I thought he nailed it. And she looked gorge.

HM3

Interesting…on his twitter page (@_KenLaurence_), Ken states that he tried to quit PR three times, and was talked back into it. Does this refer to the explosions he had with Helen, Sandro, Alexandria, Alexander…(how many were there)? How often are designers who “can’t handle the stress” denied exit, and why?

Erica_Vuitton

I had to go, just to see what he said and this comment fills me with so much rage I need to step away from the computer.

He also says “When did over weight K-Mart shoppers become so knowledgeable about fashion?” Seriously I have to forcibly stop myself from starting a twitter feud.

formerlyAnon

Good for you for stopping yourself. He’s unpleasant because he’s broken (based on my medical degree which came in this morning’s box of Kashi cereal) and doesn’t have a better way of coping with being perceived on national t.v. as an out-of-control, acting-out, damaged person.

It is a weird kind of face-saving to choose to be seen as an intentional jerk than as someone with out-of-control psychological issues.

Meredith_P

Kashi’s just as good as anything else. I applaud your credentitals.

annaplurabelle

People choose “intentional jerk” because intentional implies they have control over it. Being out of control is very scary.

queenceleste

Hey, I got that medical degree too! I got OB/GYN this time, but I’m planning on coleecting them all (fingers crossed I’ll get Neurosugeon next timeQ

demidaemon

I need to get one of those, for when my students come up with new, even crazier excuses (when someone says they are half-deaf with PTSD yet continue to disrupt the class, ?????? pop up over your head). Do they come in boxes of Fiber One, too?

HM3

Watching Ken tonight–and having my suspicions confirmed by TLo–makes it more evident than ever that Ken’s situation is rather sad. If there was any sort of psych evaluation for casting this show, it should have been made obvious to the producers that Ken, despite his talents, will probably buckle under the pressure in the worst (and not even ratings-friendly) possible way. The man spent the entire season in “fight-or-flight” mode, and while it has been irritating to watch, it is also remarkably sad.

formerlyAnon

There is some kind of psych eval, though I don’t know if it is thorough enough to catch how Ken’s issues would blow up. Or perhaps the problem is that they *want* people with drama-inducing behavioral issues, and they just got too close to the line between drama and problems.

formerlyAnon

I can’t point out a specific example, but I feel sure that I’ve seen/seen hinted at that producers have talked down upset contestants before to keep them on the show. Given how heavily edited the show is, I might be making stuff up or reading too much into something meaningless. (I don’t think it’s “denied exit” as it is “persuasive pressure is applied.”

HM3

Well, as long as we’ve both boarded The Speculation Train, logic dictates that one BIG reason that producers consistently discourage early-exits is that they cannot have more than one designer leave for emotional/behavioral reasons (after Sandro). Even if they very obviously and blatantly choose cast based on their levels of DramaQueenism, they would probably want to dissociate themselves from the fact that their sleazy priorities are actually HARMING contestants, while also throwing away much-valued spots on the show. It’s kind of like, “We know you have serious issues, but if you leave now, it’ll make us look bad. How about we just auf you on this next challenge, disregarding other apparently HIDEOUS entries (*cough*KATE*cough*)?”

Erica_Vuitton

But usually when that happens, they bring back the last designer that was aufed right?

HM3

Of course, but it doesn’t ease or hide the fact that MULTIPLE people are leaving their show because they were obviously psychologically distressed, and shouldn’t have been cast in the first place!

Erica_Vuitton

True. That’s got to be residuals from Bunim/Murray’s casting crazies for the Real World because they have an audience who WANTS to see crazy people getting well.. crazy (LOL or as they say “real”). They need to realize PR has a completely different audience and a little drama is good but this level is not what we want to see.

mhleta

This is making me think of the little meltdowns from Casanova, Mondo and a couple of others. Minor in comparison to this season. Then we had the contestant last season who stole away in the middle of the night. Clearly she knew they were going to try to rope her into coming back and wanted none of it. I can’t say I blame her.

jayetyler

I’d take anything he wrote with a huge, huge grain of salt. He’s always the victim; it’s always someone else’s fault. He seems unable to accept any responsibility for his own actions or to recognize that what he is doing is harmful to others. I’d bet dollars to donuts that his memory of his tantrum and other events on the show are completely divorced from reality.

DuBey2

This, x1000.

Jacquelyn

I’m just so glad Diva Ken is gone. But I agree, Kate should have been in the bottom but of course she wasn’t. She’s the “redemption” story.

madamovary

I am off to get People right now. And amen on the personality disorder shop of horror thing. It’s NOT okay. Maybe for something like a Real Housewives that has nothing else going on, but SWEET JESUS why can’t this be about the %$#@& clothes? How many really good designers are being passed over because their psychotic tendencies are not so obvious in the early interviews? Ken hasn’t made anything good this whole time! I don’t need the damn drama – I miss when it was about clothes and the judging had more integrity. Ick, ick, ick. You know what, these producers UNDERESTIMATE their audience. We are not the Real Housewives crowd, damn it. It’s downright insulting. When are they going to realize they don’t have to compete for that kind of viewer?

YOU GUYS GOT MARRIED ALREADY?!?! How did I miss that? CONGRATULATIONS UNCLES TLO!

Also, I think you guys are spot on about the temporary home/homeless 4 times comparison. Ken obviously has some deep person issues related to that, that make him protective of his personal space in a way that someone who’s never been homeless can never understand. I get the impression he’s been through a TON of tough shit, and he’s learned to deal by always being on the offensive. But that doesn’t in any way excuse his bitchy behaviour to Bradon for no reason, and his abuse of the crew.

susan6

What I don’t get is….he’s got a mom. When she was talking to him on skype or whatever, she seemed supportive. (She also seemed very aware of his anger management issues.) What is the deal with the homeless 4 times? Was there a reason he couldn’t live with his mom?

Cheryl

She was introduced in a previous episode as his “spiritual mom,” not birth mom. I don’t know what their relationship is all about, but if she’s a friend I don’t blame her for trying to keep him calm but not taking full responsibility for him.

Meredith_P

I think he has a mother and a Spiritual Mother (church lady?). He talked to both in an earlier episode.

madamovary

And why are they forgetting the ultimate turn on? THE HOT LIBRARIAN!!! Yeesh.

Alloy Jane

They clearly don’t watch the right kinda porn. Also, CAT FLATS!!!! I want cat flats. I have tiger heels, but cat flats would be excellent and practical.

Rand Ortega

I just read on DivaGals Daily that Ken was at NYFW but declined to show his collection because he felt it wasn’t ready? Is this true? BK’s & PUF’s, if you have further information, please dish! If it’s true, this is exhibit A of this young man’s instability.

ShaoLinKitten

I think it is a sign of maturity to admit when your product is not ready for display. If that was his reason, then I am OK with that. However, if his reason was that he was still in a snit, or holding a grudge, then that is, as you said, a bad choice on his part. I too want the dish.

Rand Ortega

I don’t know. I don’t have all the information & I may be jumping the gun by saying this. But… Being eliminated when he did, he had a head start on the other contestants to ready his collection. This includes time before going back to NY to decide whether or not the clothes were presentation ready. Once he got there, he cast models, did finishing touches; still plenty of opportunity to make the assessment of whether the collection was worth showing. Waiting until that day of the show, after other people had coordinated you into the show, prepared models for hair & makeup, THEN he makes the call? That’s not only immature, it’s unstable. It will be interpreted as a professional suicide attempt in the eyes of the fashion industry who value the professionalism of not wasting other people’s time & resources. An industry that has no patience w/ a prospective designer who obviously can’t handle the incessant pressure of that business.

ShaoLinKitten

Is that what happened? He bailed the day of the show? I didn’t know that. If that is what happened, then you are right–that’s pretty much an epic fail.

Rand Ortega

From the site:
Our divalicious sources tell us that Ken was indeed backstage during Project Runway‘s
presentation, but the dramatic designer was having a small meltdown
over his collection. He didn’t feel his pieces were ready to go down any runway. “People were trying to convince him to show anyway, as it is the chance of a lifetime,” our source dished.

But Ken wouldn’t budge, leaving the cast and crew with no choice but
to go on with the show without him. A Lifetime rep confirms Ken’s last
minute ditch. “Ken was invited, but he just chose not to show at the
last minute.”

ShaoLinKitten

Wow, then I have to agree with your first statement. I feel sorry for him. He must feel terrible, be very frightened and insecure. I hope he find a way to get peace.

Rand Ortega

Definite self destruction tendencies at play. Let’s hope he finds the proper help to get past his barriers & realize what his talents can offer the world not to mention himself.

http://marshmallowjane.com/ marshmallowjane

Do I get points if I have a People Mag. subscription? Don’t anyone bother me on Thursday evenings. I read my People, do the crossword puzzle and then watch Project Runway. You guys are getting more exposure and clout, which you deserve. Your section and commentary was a little bigger than that of other fashion writers. Nice going.

By the time I see fashions in People, they’re covering old fashion news that you have featured eons ago.

Scoobydrew

Seeing Ken with Noxema smeared all over his face reminded me of SAW. But minus the Ken drama, I think this was a great real woman challenge, only happy tears of excitement and they girls were all game and up for it…

Meredith_P

I loved the whole Superfans premise and the fans themselves. They obviously knew a lot about the show, the judges and judging, Mood (I too would squee for Mood) and took it all with good humor and hopefully enjoyed themselves. They deserved a good time. I wouldn’t mind having Superfans again! But then again, I think really PR should call it a day. But no, they’re casting for Season 13…that can’t be good. I’m not superstitious, but still…

Scoobydrew

I know it’s not the popular thing to say, but I love LOVE Project Runway and there is never has been a time when i want it to go away. I enjoy it every season.

I completely agree that they should have Superfans on again too, they were totally game and it was kinda sweet to see them so excited…I would have been all squee for Tim, Swatch, and Heidi…

AnneElliot

I agree, this was a great premise. And I’ve been to Mood and believe me, I did squee!! We walked in the door and Swatch was right there. The staff were really nice — and the elevator operator said there are tons of fans that come to the store, it’s like a pilgrimage. It was great.

annrr

I have to disagree that Alexander was in the wrong. What was wrong is that Braden and Justin didn’t have Alexander’s back when he stood up to Ken. Ken is a bully and too often bullying situations play out like this. One person stands up only to be left high and dry with everyone averting their eyes. Bullies count on people not wanting to get involved and when they didn’t help Alexander, Ken escalated. He was obviously itching for a fight. He was ironing in slow motion trying to provoke ALexander. Glad he is gone.

GillianHolroyd

You make a good point.

It would have been funny if Braden and Alexander had refused to engage, turned around and gone back to sleep in their old room. Wedging a chair under the doorknob so the production crew couldn’t intervene any further.

harlowish

Either Bradon or Alexander said that they did both go back to their old room that night.

mhleta

I would have liked it if Ken apologized to that poor PA he backed into the bathroom and shrieked at for who-knows-how-long. I’m guessing things got much worse than they showed from there. I can’t imagine how they got him off the ceiling after that pretty scary tantrum. They can’t be paid enough to put up with that sort of abuse.

AnneElliot

I agree, he should have been kicked off immediately for abusing the crew. Wasn’t that part of the reason Sandro was sent home?

Wellworn

I think that Bradon and Justin didn’t back up Alexander is because they were in fear of Ken. That is what a bully thrives on, a climate of fear so he can pick off the weakest without being challenged. I don’t blame them for being afraid though.

AnneElliot

I wish they’d have stood up for Alexander but I can’t be too hard on them. They’re all exhausted.

queenceleste

Look, I’ve just been through a very similar situation and based on my experience it could be they didn’t do anything because with someone like ken you can’t do anything. They enter a zone and yelling at them or telling them they are wrong or reasoning with them is a TOTAL waste of time. In fact, it merely escalates the situation.

VivianAdvanced

I have a feeling that Ken was given ample time to prepare for Alexander and Bradon’s arrival. I don’t condone hurling a hot iron around, but I don’t blame Alexander for being infuriated. Who knows how long they’d been hanging around in the hallway, waiting for him to let them in with their packed bags? They’d put in a full day of work, which we all know was stressful and tiring for them. What I don’t understand is why Alexander and Bradon couldn’t have simply remained where they were, thereby avoiding all the drama. Production too cheap to keep paying for a room or production knowing they’d get some good TV with a potential hissy fit from Ken?

HM3

I am aware that PR has always “consolidated” hotel rooms after multiple aufs…keeping all the boys and all the girls in as few respective rooms as possible. However, I’ve never understood why?? By the time the remaining designers are being shuffled around, they have withstood multiple challenges, and are exhausted. Whether the relocation is a budgeting issue or something else, it never fails to look distasteful and cheap.

Montavilla

I think it’s done for drama. I noticed this back when I used to watch ANTM. The models would be housed in a “mansion.” But as the season went on, rooms would suddenly disappear, so that there was always one less bed than number of models.

I also remember reading some past PR contestant saying that they’d be arbitrarily woken up in the middle of the night sometimes and told they had fifteen minutes to pack and move to another hotel room. Then they’d be moved back three hours later — all to create stress that would hopefully lead to drama in the workroom.

Lilithcat

It saves money on production costs.

Wellworn

Oh Ken knew they were coming. They had a whole camera set up, including the PAs near by to show their arrival. Bradon was probably right to just turn tail and go back to the old room, but if they were told they had to change rooms, then Alexander felt he needed to get through. Based on Ken’s camera commentary, the producers were aware of his feelings about the new roommates, and they were setting this up for drama too. I doubt they told Ken to block the door, but they were ready to film the ensuing chaos. This is the crap that has devolved PR from the once good show it was. It’s now more like real housewives of PR where sewing is just an accessory to the real drama of the show.

madscntst

The picture showing everyone in the lounge in order to play out the “I’m so sorry” scene is telling. If you look at Tim and Ken, their body language says it all – they can’t even look at eat other.

mhleta

And God bless Tim for saying out loud what everyone was thinking: For God’s sake, get yourself some anger management counseling.

JaCory Deon

Did anyone else find it hard to believe that there wasn’t one MALE superfan in the bunch? As gay as this show is…girl please. Anyway…

This is the only time Helen’s been praised on something worthy of it, though unless she totally bombed her lady would’ve looked a step up in just about anything. Brandon also did a nice job and his woman looked like she’d kick some ass after finishing her martini. Everyone else sort of bombed this challenge to me. Dom made the dress she should’ve made last challenge (southern woman), Justin put me to sleep again, Kate did something, and Alexander made some “suit” I’d never see that woman wearing.

My picks for the bottom would’ve been Alexandria and Ken: her because she had the youngest person, likely most modern of any of the women selected, and aged her 20 years. Him because he’s bananas! It was time for him to go five challenges ago. That image of him with the face cream (ironing Daisy Dukes!) with Alexander in the background is all sorts of Jess Franco/Bergmann weirdness, equal to the previous contestant with the unicorn doll in the hallway: NUTS! LOL, thank you PR for the insanity (I don’t know what it has to do with fashion but it is sure amusing).

Coco Cornejo

Unless the male fan wanted a kilt, it wouldn’t work. Time and time again the designers admit they can’t make a decent pair of pants or menswear. o_O

On second thought, an all kilt challenge might be interesting. Then they can use all that plaid they bought for the modern Southern woman challenge.

Eric Stott

Or just make a dress for a man. I’d never seriously wear a dress out in public, but if Project Runway handed me a bra and a set of falsies & said “They’re gonna make a dress for you” then I’d get my 6′ 230lb 56 year old man’s body down to NYC. At least one thing is guaranteed – No Camel Toe.

Fannie Wolston

Dudes can rock the camel too….jus sayin…

BrooklynBomber

Mr. Bomber asked the same thing: why no men? I had to explain about men’s wear being a whole other thing, how they’ve tried it once or twice, but nobody knows how to do it, etc., etc.

DuBey2

Smiling at your reference to “Mr. Bomber”

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QFW22QV426LUOEPGASPZJWJMDE MishaFoomin

Saving the male superfans for next season, maybe.

wayout46

**Ken didn’t have the worst dress out there, but he had to go**

And thankfully, this was exactly and simply what happened. He didn’t get the most scathing critique for his dress but it was clear the judges were all informed of his behavior. This could have been the editing, but I noticed both Heidi and Tim were icy towards him after the auffing. No words of encouragement, no hug from Tim, just a simple [after noticing Ken seemed relieved to leave] “You’re happy?! GOOD, cause I gotta send you to clean up your workspace…”

++ Project Runway: The L’Oreal Infomercial ++

I was howling throughout all of the judge’s hair commentary! Especially with the panned designs – all kinds of variations of “your design sucked…but her hair looks flawless!” (Where is RuPaul to wink and twinkle when you need her?)

mom2ajs5

I haven’t bought a People in years, but I will today!

AnneElliot

I was looking at the issue and I can’t find TLo’s photo anywhere!! Does anyone know what page it’s on?

Fannie Wolston

Were you peeking in the checkout aisle? Me too! couldn’t find it either….

Elsewhere1010

Anybody else catching a John Singer Sargent/Madame X vibe from Helen’s red-carpet dress? I love it, but there’s something Pre-WWI about it that’s ringing a bell for me somewhere…

Carrps

Yeah, I totally get that vibe, too.

Sarah

THANKS

ZnSD

So glad they finally FINALLY got rid of that troll Ken. I was just so sick of him after about the 3rd week if not earlier. Such a talentless asshole.

batshitmomma

I *refuse* to indulge Ken in commenting on his behavior. So, I would simply like to congratulate my favorite Uncles on their marriage!!! Was I ill? Did I miss a post??? I’m sure it was a fabulous wedding and am overjoyed for the two of you! MWAHH!!

All I can say about the escalating amount of drama this season is that my husband and I commented at the same time while watching “Face-Off” that we like how they cut from the the end of the day at the workroom to a rising sun and the contestants streaming back in. VERY rarely do you see any “behind the scenes but with cameras at the ready” drama and that a BIG part of why I love that show. Just watching artists during their creative process. What a concept.

Saturnine

I really like “Face-off.” At least in the episodes I’ve seen, the contestants get along (they don’t have time not to), and they’ve even helped each other out from time to time.

Eric Stott

But when they have a Prima Dona contestant, he’s a real doozy.

Pamdela

I also love “Face-Off” — it’s a must for our Tuesday nights — and have made the same observation. Always thrilling and fascinating to watch the incredibly talented contestants, and a minimum of drama.

Angela_the_Librarian

Yes, Face Off is a nice antidote to the BS of Project Runway. Very little interpersonal drama, amazing display of artistic skills, and I’m consistently wowed each week by at least one (usually more) end products. I’m rooting for Laura!

batshitmomma

I love Laura too! She’s always humble and usually does great work. When they do get a wonky contestant, they tend to be more the the space cadet kind or whiny, not someone with deep unresolved and unraveling psychological issues. Heck, the guy with the dead dad and Parkinsons mom said his peace and pulled himself together and WORKED. We all have our demons, I just choose not to let mine out and about on television, in jean shorts (*shudder*).

Aisa Ginger Jake Psenicnik

I like ken’s dress. I would wear, and rock it.

Eric Stott

It isn’t the worst thing on the runway (that would be Peter Pan) and if Ken were a nicer person the dress could have been looked at a bit more charitably

spooki C

Ok, can PR go back to casting people who are at least slightly more talented than they are crazy now? This season has been a doozy.

Ken scares me a bit as he reminds me of a girl I had the misfortune of sharing a room with years ago. Very emotionally unstable and extremely confrontational. She did get violent (not with me thankfully), hopefully Ken will get his shit together before it’s too late.

http://asskickingadviser.com/ Ass Kicking Adviser

I’m going, I’m going…..

queenceleste

Thank you TLo for speaking so eloquently about how Ken’s legitimate and possibly serious mental health issues have been manipulated this season. Obviously PR can’t do much about his problems, that’s up to him, but it would be nice if they had put him in touch with people who could help if he chose to make use of them

queenceleste

It’s now about 18 hours after this aired and I’ve just watched it. The weird thing is that I was dealing with an incident in my apt building that was eerily similar to the TinTin/Ken confrontation. Except in this case, the police were called and both parties (one a 62 year old woman, no less; the other a man in this 30s) had to be physically restrained from pummeling each other. It was a horrible, horrible experience even for those of us who were witnesses and had to clean up the pieces, so rewatching it on PR has made me feel like I have PTSD. All I can say is people sure are crazy.

carolclark12

So sorry you had to witness that. Watching it on TV can make us feel removed from it, but it really caused me anxiety. Seeing unstable people like Ken is not my idea of entertainment.

janierainie

Wow,that was interesting. Sounds like he was edited to look better instead of crazy (like he’s been tweeting)
I have a family member that acts this way, and it’s terrifying to be around someone with so much hateful anger boiling up. I am estranged from my her because I finally realised she’s toxic. No amount of reasoning or offers of help work because she is so devoid of taking responsibility for her actions. Mental illness is a horrible thing, and should not be used for drama in a reality tv show.

Eric Stott

OK- I am now abandoning my faint pitying support of Ken – he’s a manipulative louse.

sk8tfan

They left Ken on this show way too long; I think they should just remove contestants who display that kind of conduct as a lesson to the rest. I couldn’t help but wonder if the dust up didn’t throw Alexander off his game. I loved the superfans; they could have a commentary show after! They were adorable. I loved how they weren’t at all self conscious about being shown taking pictures and squealing. This episode turned me around on Helen; I’ve always thought she was talented, but never cared for her personality. But she was so gracious and cute to her fan, she won me over. And I admired her that she didn’t buy into Ken’s whatever; none of this phony hugging I love you please die silliness from her. Attagirl.

guest2visits

That was nicely done and interesting – so thanks for that!

queenceleste

Love it! Your friend sounds really nice and reasonable.

kathy

And I think Brave. I mean she knows how the “real” woman often get treated.

Karen Clark

I think PR needs to rethink their casting and their rules. If a contestant gets that out of control and is threatening, i.e. bullying, THEY NEED TO GO!

chylde

Yes, change the rules about contestants’ behavior and make them go home as soon as they act up. And please, don’t give in to their temper tantrums. Of course, we love schadenfreude on our reality TV, but anger issues to that caliber are not fun to witness. It’s embarrassing and makes PR look like every other trashy reality show. This is a dressmaking contest! Geez Louise!

kaydenpat

Ken needs therapy. Dude is messed up and his temper tantrum in his “temporary home” was embarrassing to watch. Not sure if I like that much drama on Project Runway, which is one of the better reality shows — starting to feel too much like Bad Girls or Real Housewives of Whatever..

songstarliner

The link makes me totally want to go back to school for library science. Really.

Trickytrisha

Am I the only one who feels sorry for Ken? PR used him for their drama quotient and spit him out. He shouldn’t have been there in the first place.

All of his outbursts obviously stem from some deep problems, so it’s not just a matter of him having temper tantrums, it’s him bringing all his baggage with him to a stressful situation and not being able to cope. I don’t appreciate the way PR handled the whole thing – mental or emotional illness isn’t a spectator sport.

Annie Lure

THIS.

Couldn’t have put it better.

jayetyler

I do feel sorry for him. I feel more sorry for the people who are exposed to his toxic behavior.

Being stressed out is no excuse for his behavior, although I agree it probably exacerbated his issues. Based on the conversation he had with his mother?/spiritual adviser?, however, it was clear that he exhibits these types of outbursts out in the real world.

That said, I agree that mental/emotional issues shouldn’t be a spectator sport. I’d prefer it if PR focused on the creative process instead of drama.

guest2visits

Mostly; I think Ken was responsible for Ken’s behavior – but I am totally in agreement that PR exploited and mishandled his tendency for dramatic anger. They chose not to show all of it; but it was more than enough. I felt they did the same to Michael C when he lost his chance to be one of the finalists and the show thought it was necessary to cover his sorrowful breakdown – closeup and in multiple angles.

Judih1

Your PR blog posts are nice reminders of why I stopped watching the show years ago. What started off as a show about “talent” quickly dropped to a show about “crazy personalities with a sewing machine.” I think that Soriano guy was the last time I remember real talent being on the show. So sad how something so good went so wrong.

ItAin’tMe

Then you must have missed Dmitri?

George Mortimer

When I was watching it, I knew he loved the green. It seemed like he later thought the judges would hate the colour and so he tried to pin the colour as all from her. But in the end, of the million flaws the judges pointed out, they barely even mentioned the colour!

kikisayshi

Ken’s poor client – she deflated like a balloon the more Heidi talked about how horrible the dress was. It looked like something she would have pulled off the rack and said, “Well it zips so I guess it fits.” I think even if he just fitted it perfectly for her the design itself and fabric wouldn’t look so bad. I have to agree with Heidi that her boobs were screaming though.

SeamsFunny

Carmen Ghia has left the runway!

amanda lynn

ok. alexander’s last comment and that smile? hysterical.

Coco Cornejo

Really? I thought Alexander came off as creepy.

amanda lynn

he is a bit – it’s just that smile at the end with his comment. entertained me.

sewchick

People like Ken will always get cast on PR. They do look for interesting people. But I’m betting they don’t run them through a battery of psych tests to see if they’re up to the challenge mentally.

tallgirl1204

The best singles ad I ever read outlined the guy’s search for a “naughty librarian.”. Have to say that it was a unique descriptor that made me wish I was in the (child-bearing) age range he also stated. About a year later I ran into the guy (he had posted a picture and height/weight, and I had committed the post rather to memory) and he was engaged to an acquaintance of mine who I suspect may have fit that description rather perfectly. I don’t know if they met though the ad, but I like to think so.

Emmyllou

Congratulations you two. Have a long & lovely marriage.

guest2visits

I have my copy of People – I see youz! What fun – Congrats!

http://frankbettecenter.org/ sleah_in_norcal

i ran out and bought the mag, but it looks like you’ll be in next weeks issue (sept. 30), at least on the west coast. i bought the sept. 23 issue and you’re no where to be found. oh well, i got to read about the mom who tried to kill her autistic daughter and herself. that was refreshing. not.

Stubenville

(^1 for the “not”.)

guest2visits

After all that – I can hardly believe they didn’t escort him off the show right then and there.

Big Bear

Grumpelstiltskin should have gone the moment he threatened Tattoogirl. But even his craziness could not dampen the joy radiating from the über fans. Brava, women, you were all fabulous!

Stubenville

I’m actually going to defend Ken just a bit. Yes, he was disruptive, threatening and annoying. Yes, he did say all those things, but we viewers are only seeing a heavily edited, tiny fraction of what goes on in a day or two of the competition. We have no real context on which to judge his behavior. Had the film crew already interrupted his ironing a couple of times? Had they asked him to move the ironing board in the middle of what he was doing? Was it all a setup to get him mad? We don’t know. But how convenient that film crew was there with cameras running while he ironed rather than in the hall with Drag Brows or in the girl’s rooms. Quel coïncidence!

I’ve lived with someone who dealt badly with stress, and after they reached their saturation point, they would explode at completely minor things. I suspect that Ken may have similar difficulties dealing with stress and a similar reaction.

What I’m trying to say is that I don’t think Ken is an intrinsically bad, mean or dangerous person. However I do believe that he was ill equipped to deal with the stress of this show and the producers failed in their responsibility to not put contestants in positions which might endanger their well being. And it is beyond disgusting if the producers chose him specifically because they thought he would have dramatic meltdowns.

NMMagpie

I agree with you. None of Ken’s various meltdowns had any entertainment value for me. What I saw was something kind of common among people who have been homeless and once again in a stable position; they often become very obsessive over their environments and person so whatever lingering shame of their homelessness remains will not cling to them. Hence, the ironing of the jean shorts. The moment I saw that, all those factors fell into place immediately.

From what we saw on the show, Ken is unsuccessfully hiding massive insecurities under a lot of bluster, a quick trigger and what appears to be a fairly advanced victim mentality, as demonstrated by the modern Southern woman showdown with Heidi on the runway.

If the producers took a closer look, they would have seen that his personality was not suited to this kind pressure. That has to be a consideration in these shows: while you may get some entertainment from a diva personality, a personality that will act out physically is quite another. Ken unfortunately rode that line.

I hope for the best for him going forward and that he finds his peace.

ItAin’tMe

Ok, yes, I’ll agree that a lot of heavy editing goes on and we only see the pieced together version of the so called reality. I would imagine that the film crews are pretty astute at sensing an imminent meltdown and are quick to set themselves up to catch it.

Or, maybe the director said, “OK Ken, in this scene you’re ironing in the doorway to block Alexander’s entrance. Remember, you’re very upset that your private time with Justin is being disrupted and that the sanctity of your temporary home is being violated. Alexander, you’re fed up Ken and his moods. You’re tired and you just want to get to bed….”

At this point, who knows?

demidaemon

That scene you wrote could have been their internal monologues. The sad part is it really could go either way. I do think the situation was scripted; I mean, why not have Ken and Justin move instead? Or possibly, Ken was asked and he flat out said he wouldn’t? So many possibilities. Though, if we were writing a gay soap opera, your rendition would make a hell of a scene.

http://beautyforrealgirls.blogspot.com/ accidental housewife

Oooh, thanks for the link, @greyhoundgrrl:disqus . That was some good stuff.

BrownEyedBetty

Ken’s client seemed so happy with her dress. Did anybody else see her face fall when they started ripping it to shreds. I felt so sad for her !!

SewingSiren

Yes.

ItAin’tMe

Yeah, that’s always the problem with the real people challenge. But Ken was actually very nice to his fan and he did please her. Remember when Ven kept referring distastefully to his real woman’s weight? In that challenge the clients were referred by friends who wanted to do something nice for them. Then your designer tells you you’re fat and that’s why the dress he made you looks like crap, and then you have to be humiliated on the runway, on national tv. “Thanks a lot friend….really feeling better about my crappy life now! ” I think it was better that these fans nominated themselves.

DuBey2

TLo, I followed your instructions per the music playing in the background, and it was Very entertaining! And congrats on how you are getting more and more publicity. Today: People. Tomorrow: Guest judge on PR.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QFW22QV426LUOEPGASPZJWJMDE MishaFoomin

The PR guest judge gig should have happened long before the People coverage. Maybe even as judges for this episode. Superfan? They are helping support the show with this blog. People watch in order to participate here. Some probably would have stopped watching a while ago if not for this blog.

Madlymild

I’d really like to know, from someone more informed and with a better memory than me: what percentage of the “real women” challenges have been won by the designer who got the thinnest model? I’m guessing somewhere up around 100%. Which, if true, says something really really bad about this show. The fashion industry has to take some of the blame, but I’m big and have found lots of beautiful clothes that I love, so.

queenceleste

Probably all of them, although Bradon’s blonde was stunning before and after her makeover and he came third among the top 3. But I thought the super fangurls in this episode were the most attractive ones they’ve ever selected. It was nice to see that they chose “real women” who were already really attractive and had great personalities. So often “real woman” is code for “fat and out of shape.” They all had really nice figures–nice and curvy and not for the most part stick thin, but womanly and confident.

demidaemon

I remember that Uli came this close to winning in the first real women challenge (and she should have won that one, not cuckoo Vincent). I can’t really say on the rest of them, though I feel there was at least one where the winner had a non-model client.

largishbearishAtlish

You know who the real loser is here? the talented as hell designer sitting at home who was the pic AFTER him… that ‘could have been’ on this show, with some real talent (and psychological stability and non-camera whoring traits). The loser is also the (dwindling?) viewers…

question- with therapy- is he eligible in 3 years for the villain part for the next “all-stars” (note heavy use of quotes :))

queenceleste

ugh, I hated the mormon dress. SO DOWDY. Surely it’s possible to make sexy, modest clothing (is that an oxymoron? No, I don’t think so). If you watched Big Love, you know that the LDS ladies can look pretty hot, even in clothing that covers up the garments. And I’m not talking about the FLDS prairie home companion beeyotches, either.

Samuel Joesph Donovan

So Kate’s being set up with some kind of weird “Anthony Ryan in PR AllStars” thing where she can’t get criticized, and it’s making me very uncomfortable.

Dom’s look, I thought, was actually pretty great, although it definitely could have used a different waistline. Her model was probably the best up there.

And I LOVE Susi!! She’s one of the bloggers of “just Crafty Enough” who do Project Runway challenges on dolls. It’s a great, great blog. But her dress…what WAS that thing? No darts or seaming to fit it…did nothing to conform to her shape, or even pretend it was a designed piece of clothing. Forget the emotional issues–Ken is not a competent sewer, which should have been reason enough not to cast him.

Cousin_Rose

Ummm, sorry hubby, we can’t watch the 11th inning of the tied in the 9th Tigers game because I need a copy of People magazine RIGHT NOW!!! Yes, I do love you!

queenceleste

OK, here’s my plan for next season, who’s in?

The real woman challenge is made up of only the bitterest of Bitter Kittens (the process is brutal but equal opportunity; this challenge really needs a few cross dressers, for heaven’s sake). Should you choose to accept, you would have to fulfill the following responsibilities:

1. Sob uncontrollably when it is revealed who your designer is.
2. Hang out in the work room at all times, loudly critiquing all the contestants’ outfits and listening/dancing to Twerk by Miley Cyrus/Justin Bieber.
3. Photo bomb at least one confessional segment and/or sappy Skype call between a distraught designer and his spiritual advisor.
4. Have a shrieking tantrum during the fitting. Extra credit for storming out while wearing the half-completed garment, walking the streets of midtown Manhattan talking to yourself and punching tourists.
5. Monopolize at least one sewing machine making cute little outfits for your actual kitten back home using crucial, expensive fabric stolen from another designer. Extra points for breaking at least three needles and screwing up the bobbin.
6. Get really drunk and visit the designers’ hotel room at 3 am, vomit, and pass out sideways on top of the designer of your choice. Extra credit for loud snoring and farting.
7. After the makeup/hair consultation, when the designer has left, tell the makeup artist/hair stylist that you are allergic to the active and inactive ingredients in all L’Oreal Products and will break out in hives if they so much as go near you with any of them.
8. Do the Elaine dance from Seinfeld while going down the runway. Extra credit for giving your designer the finger when you pass him/her.
9. When Heidi asks if you like the outfit, start crying and say you never realized until you saw yourself in the outfit that you were quite so fat, ugly and undesirable.
10. During the judging phase when Tim brings the models down to the judges, turn to him and say loudly, “Mr Gunn, I’ve asked you once politely, but if you fondle my ass once more time, I’m calling the police”

demidaemon

This is an awesome plan! I would so compete.

miatamam

With two days to make a pretty basic dress, it seems rather odd Ken didn’t have time to hem his dress.

Lyra Byrnes

Am I the only one who thought Justin’s “signature” detail looked like the dress got Lewinskyed?

berlinmama

LOL rude, but LOL!

berlinmama

p.s. I didn’t mean YOU were rude, Lyra. I meant the Monica thing was rude!

Bwin51

So true about the print that Dom used. Not only was it big, the colors were all wrong. Also, verrrry glad Ken is gone. They need to do better background checks on contestants. These violent outbursts are unforgivable. It became apparent that everyone was terrified of him and I feel he needs to be locked up. At the same time, I understand the pressure someone without training goes through in a situation like this. It was his lack of ability to handle that pressure that made for a bad show. Nice job by Helen although almost anything would have been transformative with that particular client.

Inspector_Gidget

I got back from out of town today and just watched the episode. Then I ran to the computer to read your post. Don’t disown me! I’ll run out and look for People first thing in the morning! Honest!

Oh, and it was complete bullshit that Ken wasn’t eliminated on the spot after that latest shouting match. If someone’s issues are so bad that they have to be moved **into their own room** and can’t be left with other contestants **on a reality competition show**, they need to be given their walking papers. Luckily he made a really shitty dress (as usual), but he shouldn’t have even made it to the runway to be auf’d. Pathetic.

Kent Roby

I’m just so exhausted with the whole PR: Bad GIrls Edition. Remember when PR used to be about cutting-edge design? No, I can hardly remember it either.

MarissaLG

This was really one of the worst episodes ever. I think every single one of the looks that walked down the runway was horrible. I mean, I guess maybe some of the dresses were passable, but even the majority of the new hairstyles were bad!

Also, did anyone else feel like all of the designers and judges were super condescending towards the women? They treated “real women” as if they were mythical creatures. So strange.

Therese Bohn

If PR had any taste, it would make TLo judges!

Thom

Just watched the most recent episode on HULU, and I gotta say, my wife and I are beyond glad Ken’s history. Indeed, someone already touched on this, but I think it deserves another mention. These so-called designers who are trying to make a name for themselves, do them no favors by acting so bloody crazy, no one-repeat-NO ONE would hire them, as an employee or otherwise.

But that’s the way these buffoons running reality TV think. They believe we viewers like this drama…not all of us do…and when it gets to the point where Ken and that other psycho brought it, it motivates us to stop watching as it destroys the credibility of the show.

Lastly, I agree, Heidi, shut the F*$% up and let people talk already. You’re a has-been, and so is that one-hit wonder, Zac Poser-I mean-Posen.

ChristinaRi

I doubt that anyone knew of Ken’s rage issues. I also doubt that Ken is capable of snapping out of it once his rage has been triggered. He’s in an emotional whirlwind. I understand and sympathize with his issues, but he has to address them for the sake of those around him and for himself.

http://www.lippsisters.com/ Deborah Lipp

They liked having Ken around up to the point where he got in the crew’s faces. That was the turning point for Sandro as well. DON’T FUCK WITH THE CREW.

Honestly, I think they got scared of him and realized they’d bitten off more than they could chew. They probably tried to provoke another Sandro-type walkout and when that didn’t work they just anointed him loser. Lucky Dom, because that was some FUG.

I do love that Tim refused to even touch him.

berlinmama

ZZZZZZZ – Blech – MEH

berlinmama

TLo – Why aren’t you guest judges; you have much better taste! Write Heidi and Tim!

ChristinaRi

lol Downloading PEOPLE right now!

kathrineb

Not crazy about the short hair the gave the first two ladies.

Mojone

I’ve been watching for a long time and it seems to me that the contestants with the skinniest “real” women always win.

To level the playing field, I think they should have a plus-sized competition, or an over-50 competition, and then weed out the those who only need to be cleaned up a little.

It would also help if they made the rules for this competition more clear:

are they

1) trying to make their model happy, or

2) trying to make her look good, or

3) trying to make a high fashion design?

Very few “real” women (the average size for all women is a 14) look acceptable in high fashion.

I think Justin did the best job of 1) making his woman happy, and 2) making her look good. I for one would love to have a designer who sewed spandex into the lining of my date dress!

calbear97

Thank you for the link, loved reading about her experience and all the behind the scenes stuff that goes on. Great job on the show AND the blog Susi!

ransue

I picked the skinniest girl to win because on every ordinary woman challenge, that’s who wins. I don’t know why they use women in fashion at all, since their ideal woman is a tall skinny boy.